Ambivalence

Definitions of Ambivalence

The definition of ambivalence has evolved over time and often varies by discipline. The term was originally coined in the 19th century by Eugen Bleuler, who defined ambivalence as having competing desires at different levels of consciousness. For example, an individual may verbally express a desire to change his or her life circumstances but exhibit behaviors that contradict those expressed desires. Sigmund Freud further developed this definition in his description of ambivalent feelings as the experience of love and hate toward the same object. Ambivalence is also used in the attachment literature to describe a particular attachment style (anxious-ambivalent). Children with this attachment style are uncertain about their primary care-giver's ability to provide support and thus show inconsistent behaviors toward the caregiver (usually a parent). This type of ambivalent attachment in adulthood is defined as having conflicting opinions about whether a person can be trusted in a relationship. Similarly, ambivalence is used in the romantic relationship literature to describe feelings of confusion and anxiety about whether the relationship should continue.

Ambivalence is also defined by sociologists as incompatible expectations that exist in a social status or role that lead to contradictory attitudes or expectations for behavior. According to this approach, people with fewer social and economic resources are more likely to experience ambivalence.

For the purpose of this entry, ambivalence is defined as having positive and negative emotions or cognitions about the same relationship. This definition of psychological ambivalence is used in a great deal of the adult relationship literature to characterize strong negative and positive feelings in relationships. For example, a person may experience both intense love and irritation regarding his or her spouse. Such ambivalence is distinct from feelings of confusion and/or indifference in which the relationship may include low levels of both positive and negative feelings. In addition, this type of ambivalence is distinct from feelings of confusion.

Measurement of Ambivalence

Psychological ambivalence can be measured directly or indirectly. Direct measures ask participants to estimate how mixed their feelings are about a relationship. For instance, participants may be asked how often they feel torn in two directions, conflicted, or that the relationship is very intimate as well as restrictive. Indirect measures combine positive and negative assessments of relationships to create an ambivalence score. Examples of positive items may include qualities such as loving, supportive, and understanding. In contrast, negative items often include qualities such as rejecting, demanding, and critical. Thus, high levels of ambivalence reflect both high levels of positive and negative feelings.

Predictors of Ambivalence

Ambivalence varies by contextual as well as individual difference factors. A contextual factor of particular importance is the type of relationship. Individuals are more likely to experience ambivalence in close family relationships than in non-family or extended-family relationships. A possible explanation may be that nonfamily relationships involve clearer norms for behavior that are less likely to conflict than do close family relations. For example, close or immediate family relationships often involve conflicting needs of closeness and autonomy. Close family ties also have a longer history that provides more opportunity for tensions. Indeed, ambivalent feelings may occur when a relationship was negative in the past but is currently positive or when relationships that were once positive have become negative. In addition, close family ties in particular (parent, child, spouse) involve more frequent contact and greater feelings of obligation than do extended-family and nonfamily ties.

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