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ambivalence
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ambivalence

psychology
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In psychology, ambivalence refers to having mixed or contradictory feelings about something or someone. It means experiencing simultaneous attraction and repulsion, or wanting and not wanting something at the same time. For example, someone might feel ambivalent about a new job, excited about the opportunities but hesitant about the workload.123

The term originates from the Latin prefix "ambi-" meaning "both," and "valere" meaning "to be strong," reflecting the presence of strong, opposing emotions. It's important not to confuse ambivalence with ambiguity, which relates to unclear meanings rather than mixed feelings.21

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4 Britannica Sources
  1. ambivalent
  2. Ambiguous vs. Ambivalent: Dispelling the Ambiguity
  3. ambivalent feelings
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