Which defense mechanism involves channeling negative urges and impulses into socially acceptable or constructive activities?

• A. Sublimation
• B. Denial
• C. Projection
• D. Compensation

Answer: (A)

Transforming unacceptable urges into socially valued actions is sublimation. It takes energy from impulses that can be harmful if acted on and redirects it into constructive, accepted activities that benefit the person and others. For example, aggressive feelings can be channeled into competitive sports or disciplined training, and intense emotions can fuel creative or scientific work. This keeps the underlying drive active but repurposed in a way that is constructive.

Denial involves refusing to acknowledge reality, so it doesn’t transform the impulse at all. Projection is about attributing one’s own unacceptable feelings to someone else, not changing the impulse itself. Compensation focuses on excelling in another area to make up for a deficiency, rather than converting the impulse into a new outlet. Sublimation uniquely redirects the drive into something useful, which is why it’s the best fit here.