A simultaneous tendency or inclination in two different or opposite directions; a state of internal conflict between competing desires or impulses.
From Latin 'ambi-' (both) + 'tendency' (from 'tendere', to tend or stretch toward). Used in psychology to describe conflicting motivations.
This term was especially popular in early 20th-century psychology—it describes that internal tug-of-war we all feel when we want two opposite things, like wanting to be social but also wanting to be alone!
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