According to Brill's theory, what might a client who becomes a professional football player due to a desire to hurt people be utilizing?

The understanding of Brill's theory highlights the concept of sublimation, which is a defense mechanism wherein an individual channels their unacceptable impulses or desires into socially acceptable activities. In this context, if a client becomes a professional football player driven by a desire to hurt others, they are transforming potentially aggressive feelings into a competitive sport that allows for physical engagement and expression within the rules of the game.

Sublimation is seen as a healthy coping strategy because it helps individuals achieve constructive results from primal urges, ultimately benefiting both the individual and society. In contrast, the concept of projection involves attributing one's own unacceptable feelings or thoughts to someone else, which doesn’t fit this scenario as it’s about personal desire channeled into a career choice rather than projecting onto others. Regression refers to reverting to earlier developmental stages as a response to stress, which doesn't apply here either. Rationalization involves justifying behaviors or feelings through logical reasoning, but in this case, the desire to hurt others is being redirected through the avenue of sport rather than rationalized. Thus, sublimation aligns perfectly with the notion of transforming aggressive impulses into a structured physical activity like football.