approach-avoidance
Wanting yet fearing
Approach-avoidance describes a psychological conflict where someone is simultaneously drawn to and repelled by the same goal or situation.
The classic example is wanting something that also frightens you: She felt the approach-avoidance of the job interview—excited by the opportunity but dreading the scrutiny.
The term comes from behavioral psychology but has entered general use for any situation where attraction and aversion pull in opposite directions.
Opposition between parties
- ambivalenceConflicting emotions coexisting
- motivationImpetus toward a goal
- tensionStretched or strained state
- dilemmaForced choice between undesirables
gradient · drive · goal · hesitation · indecision · vacillation · anxiety · push-pull
Delay from uncertainty
- withdrawalAct of taking away
- freezingExtremely cold
- seekingAttempting to find
- orientationPosition relative to surroundings
movement · response · startle · flight · engagement · disengagement · coping · stimulus
Emotion-processing brain cluster
- dopamineReward-linked neural messenger
- cortisolAdrenal steroid regulating stress
- adrenalineEmergency response hormone
- limbicOf emotional brain structures
activation · inhibition · serotonin · arousal · processing · regulation · temperament · sensitivity
State of being unprotected
- desensitizationReduced response over time
- phobiaPersistent irrational dread
- attachmentConnection or fondness
- therapyCurative mental treatment
intervention · triggers · habituation · mindfulness · acceptance · resistance · breakthrough
conflict
Opposition between parties
- ambivalenceConflicting emotions coexisting
- motivationImpetus toward a goal
- tensionStretched or strained state
dilemma · gradient · drive · goal · hesitation · indecision · vacillation · anxiety · push-pull · contradictory
hesitation
Delay from uncertainty
- withdrawalAct of taking away
- freezingExtremely cold
- seekingAttempting to find
orientation · movement · response · startle · flight · engagement · disengagement · coping · stimulus · reaction
amygdala
Emotion-processing brain cluster
- dopamineReward-linked neural messenger
- cortisolAdrenal steroid regulating stress
- adrenalineEmergency response hormone
limbic · activation · inhibition · serotonin · arousal · processing · regulation · temperament · sensitivity
exposure
State of being unprotected
- desensitizationReduced response over time
- phobiaPersistent irrational dread
- attachmentConnection or fondness
therapy · intervention · triggers · habituation · mindfulness · acceptance · resistance · breakthrough
approach-avoidancesingle-minded pursuit
approach-avoidancedecisiveness
Ability to choose firmly
resolution · certainty · clarity · single-mindedness · commitment
approach, avoidance, approaches, approached, approaching, approachable, unapproachable, avoid, avoids