Displacement activities are out-of-context behaviors performed when an animal is motivated to engage in two or more conflicting actions. These behaviors emerge when an individual is torn between instincts, such as fight or flight, or is frustrated by its inability to complete a goal. This phenomenon is not limited to the animal kingdom; it is a common behavioral pattern observed across many species, including humans, as a response to internal conflict and stress.
Spotting Displacement Activities in Action
Displacement activities manifest as seemingly irrelevant actions. For example, a bird confronted by a rival might suddenly stop its aggressive posturing and begin preening its feathers or pecking the ground. These actions are out of place during a tense standoff. Similarly, a domestic cat faced with an inaccessible toy or an uncertain social situation might begin to groom itself with unusual intensity.
These behaviors are also observable in other mammals. A dog in a training class that is confused by a command or stressed by the environment may yawn repeatedly. This is not a sign of sleepiness but a common canine displacement activity. Other animals might chew on or peck at inedible objects when a desired food source is blocked.
Humans exhibit a parallel range of behaviors when experiencing similar internal states. A person scratching their head when trying to solve a difficult problem is a common example. When anxious or nervous, an individual might start fidgeting, pacing, biting their nails, or adjusting their clothing or jewelry.
The Root Causes: Internal Conflict and Frustration
The primary triggers for displacement activities are psychological states rooted in conflict and frustration. Internal conflict arises when an animal or person is motivated to perform two or more incompatible actions at the same time. A common scenario is the “fight or flight” response, where an animal is simultaneously driven by aggression to confront a threat and by fear to escape it. When these two drives are of roughly equal strength, they can inhibit each other and create a behavioral deadlock.
For instance, an animal might approach a potential mate but also be fearful of rejection or aggression. This conflict between the drive to approach and the drive to withdraw can lead to the performance of an unrelated behavior, such as sudden grooming or feeding.
Frustration is another trigger for these behaviors. This state occurs when a highly motivated, goal-oriented action is blocked. For example, when hungry hens are conditioned to get food from a dispenser and then find it blocked, they often begin to pace and preen themselves with vigor. This behavior is a direct result of their inability to complete the motivated action.
Scientific Theories Explaining These Behaviors
One of the earliest theories is the conflict theory from ethologist Nikolaas Tinbergen. This model proposes that when two strongly activated but incompatible drives clash, they mutually inhibit one another. This inhibition can cause a “spark-over” of nervous energy to a third, unrelated behavioral pathway that is not being suppressed.
The disinhibition hypothesis builds on this idea. This theory suggests that different behavioral systems in the brain are organized hierarchically, with some drives normally suppressing others. During a conflict, the two competing drives may block each other, which in turn lifts the inhibition on a lower-priority behavior like grooming or scratching.
Another concept involves surplus energy or arousal. This model suggests a state of conflict or frustration generates a high level of nervous energy in the body. Since this energy cannot be discharged through the blocked behaviors, like fighting or fleeing, it “spills over” into an alternative motor pattern, providing an outlet for the built-up tension.
The Adaptive Role of Displacement Activities
While they may appear odd, displacement activities are thought to serve several adaptive functions. One hypothesis is that they help in tension reduction and self-soothing. The stress that accompanies conflict can be taxing, and performing a familiar, rhythmic action like grooming may help regulate arousal and calm the individual down.
These behaviors may also have evolved into social signals. Over time, some displacement activities have become ritualized to communicate an individual’s internal state to others. For example, a bird preening during a border dispute might be signaling its ambivalence or stress to its opponent, which can de-escalate the confrontation and prevent a costly fight.
Finally, performing these activities might help an animal maintain a state of readiness. Instead of freezing completely during a moment of indecision, engaging in a low-level activity keeps the animal’s motor systems active. This could allow it to more quickly switch to a decisive action should the situation change suddenly.