Association of Social Work Boards Masters (ASWB MSW) Practice Exam

Displacement can be defined as the act of taking out one's emotions on another person or object that is not the original source of those emotions. In relationships, this can often lead to unnecessary tension between individuals because the person who is displacing their emotions may project them onto their partner, causing conflict and misunderstanding. Option A and D may seem like plausible effects, but in reality, displacement can hinder communication and inhibit understanding and empathy. Option C may also appear as a possible outcome, but displacement can often have damaging effects on relationships, thus it cannot be said that it has no noticeable effect. Therefore, the most accurate answer is B.