Difference between revisions of "Ambivalence"
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==Definitions== | ==Definitions== | ||
*1: [[simultaneous]] and [[contradictory]] [[attitudes]] or [[feelings]] (as attraction and repulsion) toward an object, [[person]], or [[action]] | *1: [[simultaneous]] and [[contradictory]] [[attitudes]] or [[feelings]] (as attraction and repulsion) toward an object, [[person]], or [[action]] | ||
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:b : [[uncertainty]] as to which approach to follow | :b : [[uncertainty]] as to which approach to follow | ||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
| − | '''Ambivalence''' is a state of having [[simultaneous]], [[conflicting]] [[feelings]] toward a person or thing. Stated another way, ambivalence is the [[experience]] of having [[thoughts]] and/or [[emotions]] of both [[positive]] and [[negative]] [ | + | '''Ambivalence''' is a state of having [[simultaneous]], [[conflicting]] [[feelings]] toward a person or thing. Stated another way, ambivalence is the [[experience]] of having [[thoughts]] and/or [[emotions]] of both [[positive]] and [[negative]] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valence_(psychology) valence] toward someone or something. A common example of ambivalence is the feeling of both [[love]] and [[hate]] for a person. The term also refers to situations where "mixed feelings" of a more general sort are experienced, or where a person experiences [[uncertainty]] or indecisiveness concerning something. The [[expressions]] "[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_feet cold feet]" and "sitting on the fence" are often used to describe the feeling of ambivalence. |
Ambivalence is experienced as [[psychologically]] unpleasant when the positive and negative aspects of a subject are both present in a [[person]]'s [[mind]] at the [[same time]]. This state can lead to avoidance or [[procrastination]], or to [[deliberate]] attempts to resolve the ambivalence. When the situation does not require a [[decision]] to be made, people [[experience]] less discomfort even when feeling ambivalent. | Ambivalence is experienced as [[psychologically]] unpleasant when the positive and negative aspects of a subject are both present in a [[person]]'s [[mind]] at the [[same time]]. This state can lead to avoidance or [[procrastination]], or to [[deliberate]] attempts to resolve the ambivalence. When the situation does not require a [[decision]] to be made, people [[experience]] less discomfort even when feeling ambivalent. | ||
| − | In [[psychoanalysis]], the [[concept]] of ''ambivalence'' (introduced by [ | + | In [[psychoanalysis]], the [[concept]] of ''ambivalence'' (introduced by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugen_Bleuler Bleuler] in 1911) refers to an underlying emotional [[attitude]] in which the co-existing contradictory [[impulses]] (usually [[love]] and [[hate]]) derive from a common [[source]] and are thus held to be [[interdependent]]. Moreover, when the term is used in this psychoanalytic sense, it would not usually be [[expected]] that the person embodying ambivalence would actually feel both of the two contradictory emotions as such. With the exception of cases of obsessional [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neurosis neurosis], one or other of the conflicting sides is usually [[repressed]]. Thus, for example, an analysand's love for his [[father]] might be quite consciously experienced and openly [[expressed]] – while his 'hate' for the same object might be heavily repressed and only indirectly expressed, and thus only revealed in [[analysis]]. |
| − | Another relevant distinction is that whereas the [[psychoanalytic]] notion of 'ambivalence' sees it as engendered by all neurotic conflict, a person's everyday 'mixed [[feelings]]' may easily be based on a quite realistic [[assessment]] of the imperfect nature of the thing being [[considered]]. [ | + | Another relevant distinction is that whereas the [[psychoanalytic]] notion of 'ambivalence' sees it as engendered by all neurotic conflict, a person's everyday 'mixed [[feelings]]' may easily be based on a quite realistic [[assessment]] of the imperfect nature of the thing being [[considered]]. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambivalence] |
[[Category: Psychology]] | [[Category: Psychology]] | ||
Latest revision as of 23:42, 12 December 2020
Definitions
- 1: simultaneous and contradictory attitudes or feelings (as attraction and repulsion) toward an object, person, or action
- 2a : continual fluctuation (as between one thing and its opposite)
- b : uncertainty as to which approach to follow
Description
Ambivalence is a state of having simultaneous, conflicting feelings toward a person or thing. Stated another way, ambivalence is the experience of having thoughts and/or emotions of both positive and negative valence toward someone or something. A common example of ambivalence is the feeling of both love and hate for a person. The term also refers to situations where "mixed feelings" of a more general sort are experienced, or where a person experiences uncertainty or indecisiveness concerning something. The expressions "cold feet" and "sitting on the fence" are often used to describe the feeling of ambivalence.
Ambivalence is experienced as psychologically unpleasant when the positive and negative aspects of a subject are both present in a person's mind at the same time. This state can lead to avoidance or procrastination, or to deliberate attempts to resolve the ambivalence. When the situation does not require a decision to be made, people experience less discomfort even when feeling ambivalent.
In psychoanalysis, the concept of ambivalence (introduced by Bleuler in 1911) refers to an underlying emotional attitude in which the co-existing contradictory impulses (usually love and hate) derive from a common source and are thus held to be interdependent. Moreover, when the term is used in this psychoanalytic sense, it would not usually be expected that the person embodying ambivalence would actually feel both of the two contradictory emotions as such. With the exception of cases of obsessional neurosis, one or other of the conflicting sides is usually repressed. Thus, for example, an analysand's love for his father might be quite consciously experienced and openly expressed – while his 'hate' for the same object might be heavily repressed and only indirectly expressed, and thus only revealed in analysis.
Another relevant distinction is that whereas the psychoanalytic notion of 'ambivalence' sees it as engendered by all neurotic conflict, a person's everyday 'mixed feelings' may easily be based on a quite realistic assessment of the imperfect nature of the thing being considered. [1]
