ambivalence /am·biv·a·lence/ (am-biv´ah-lens) simultaneous existence of conflicting attitudes, emotions, ideas, or wishes toward the same object.ambiv´alent
ambivalence
ambivalence
am·biv·a·lence ( m-b v  -lns)n. The coexistence of opposing attitudes or feelings toward a person, an object, or an idea. am·biv a·lent adj. |
ambivalence
[ambiv′ələns]
Etymology: L, ambo, both, valentia, strength
1 a state in which a person concomitantly experiences conflicting feelings, attitudes, drives, desires, or emotions, such as love and hate, tenderness and cruelty, pleasure and pain toward the same person, place, object, or situation. To some degree, ambivalence is normal. Treatment in severe, debilitating cases consists of psychotherapy appropriate to the underlying cause.
2 uncertainty and fluctuation caused by an inability to make a choice between opposites.
3 a continuous oscillation or fluctuation. ambivalent, adj.
ambivalence
Psychiatry The coexistence of contradictory emotions, attitudes, ideas, or desires vis-á-vis a particular person, object, or situation
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