displacement activity

noun

, Animal Behavior.

1. a behavior performed out of its usual context and apparently irrelevant to the prevailing situation, as eating when an unknown individual approaches, tending to occur when appropiate behaviors, as attacking or fleeing, are in conflict or obstructed.

displacement activity

noun

1. psychol behaviour that occurs typically when there is a conflict between motives and that has no relevance to either motive, e.g. head scratching
2. zoology the substitution of a pattern of animal behaviour that is different from behaviour relevant to the situation, e.g. preening at an apparently inappropriate time

Word History and Origins

Origin of displacement activity¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Fiennes shows us someone who expected his lovers and children to be his enablers, but who is also a genuine artist and social idealist, whose entire, remarkable career may in fact owe something to sexual frustration and displacement activity.

From The Guardian

“Starting in early August, we resumed regular job displacement activity.”

From Washington Post

Sometimes, it’s a displacement activity: a substitute for the harder job of working out – whether you’re the Labour leader or a potential Labour supporter – what sort of government we should have instead.

From The Guardian

“Worrying about stuff like this was what her mother’s generation did as displacement activity from worrying about the real things happening in the world,” she thinks.

From New York Times

After another shapeless, meandering day of working from home, trying to read the entire internet by way of displacement activity, I know exactly what I need to help me destress: a cucumber and a teaspoon.

From The Guardian