Projection as a defense mechanism is best described as:

Projection as a defense mechanism involves individuals attributing their own unacceptable thoughts, feelings, or motives to someone else. This mechanism allows a person to externalize their internal conflicts and anxieties, enabling them to deal with uncomfortable emotions by placing them onto others. For example, if someone feels angry but cannot acknowledge that anger within themselves, they might accuse others of being angry or hostile instead. This helps them avoid facing their own emotions directly.

In contrast, the other choices describe different psychological processes. Suppressing emotions until they surface refers to avoidance or repression rather than projection, where an individual consciously tries to ignore or mask their feelings. Expressing feelings proactively highlights a healthy communication of emotions, which does not involve misattributing them to others. Creating rational explanations for behavior pertains to rationalization, where a person justifies their actions without necessarily deflecting feelings onto others. Overall, projection specifically involves misattributing one's own feelings to another, making it a distinctive and recognizable defense mechanism.