Displacement refers to the change in position of an object from one location to another. In physics, it is defined as the shortest distance from the initial position to the final position, along with the direction of that line. Displacement is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction, unlike distance, which only measures how much ground an object has covered. In psychology, displacement is a defense mechanism where an individual redirects emotions or impulses from one target to another, often less threatening. For example, a person who is angry at their boss may take out their frustration on a family member or friend instead. This behavior helps to manage feelings in a way that feels safer.