(1) the approach-approach conflict, (2) the avoidance-avoidance conflict, (3) the
approach-avoidance conflict, and (4) the double approach-avoidance conflict.
The approach-approach conflictexists when an individual is presented
with two desirable alternatives, but only one alternative can be obtained. Desir-
able alternatives are termed positive goals.A mild example of an approach-
approach conflict is selecting a birthday card for a friend or relative. Let’s say that
Olympia is trying to pick a birthday card for her husband. She’s narrowed her
options down to two cards, but is having a hard time making a final selection.
She’s in an approach-approach conflict.
An approach-approach conflict might seem to induce relatively low stress.
After all, the individual has at least two good choices. But such a conflict can in
some cases induce quite a bit of stress. Eighteen-year-old Kirk has been accepted
at two leading colleges. They are in different parts of the country. The selection
he finally makes will have great long-run significance. He is in an intense
approach-approach conflict.(a) exists when we are forced to make difficult choices in life.(b) What kind of conflict exists when an individual is presented with two desirable alterna-
tives, but only one alternative can be obtained?
(c) Desirable alternatives are termed goals.
Answers: (a) Psychological conflict; (b) An approach-approach conflict; (c) positive.
An avoidance-avoidance conflict exists when the individual wants to
either escape from or avoid two undesirable alternatives. Undesirable alternatives
are termed negative goals.The central problem with this kind of conflict is that
moving away from one negative goal takes one in the direction of the other neg-
ative goal. Nineteen-year-old Nancy is in her first year of college. She doesn’t like
academic work, is barely passing, and is thinking of dropping out. On the other
hand, if she drops out, her parents have indicated they won’t support her. She’ll
have to take a low-paying, unskilled job. If she stays in school, she’ll be unhappy.
If she takes a low-paying job, she’ll be unhappy. She tells her best friend, “I’m
between a rock and a hard place.”
Associated with the research of the anthropologist Gregory Bateson, a term
sometimes used to identify an avoidance-avoidance conflict is a double bind.A
double bind is a no-win situation. Whatever the individual does, there is a sense
of failure or loss.(a) What kind of conflict exists when the individual wants to escape from or avoid two
undesirable alternatives?(b) Undesirable alternatives are termed goals.
Answers: (a) An avoidance-avoidance conflict; (b) negative.Emotions: Riding Life’s Roller Coaster 115