What is another word for displacement activity?
Pronunciation: [dɪsplˈe͡ɪsmənt aktˈɪvɪti] (IPA) 
Displacement activity refers to a behavior that an organism displays during a period of conflict or when feeling stressed or uncertain. These behaviors are often defined by their irrelevance to the current environment, as they serve as a way of coping or dealing with tension. Synonyms for displacement activity might include deflective behaviors, unrelated actions, diversionary tactics, or redirection techniques. These terms all speak to the notion of using a seemingly unrelated behavior as a means to alleviate tension. Other possible synonyms might include distraction techniques, surrogate behaviors, or incongruous actions, all of which highlight the idea that we can sometimes act in seemingly strange or odd ways when we're feeling conflicted or unsure how to cope.
