Being a backronym of AADC (the title of an Indonesian movie), "approach-avoidance defensive conflict" refers to the psychological struggle where a single goal has both positive and negative aspects, causing a person to be both drawn to and repelled by it. This internal tension leads to stress and indecision as the individual weighs the pros and cons, and the conflict often results in periods of back-and-forth thinking. Examples include wanting a promotion but dreading the longer hours, or wanting a vacation but being discouraged by the high cost.
She faced an approach-avoidance defensive conflict when she considered accepting the job offer; the salary was great, but the thought of a longer commute made her hesitate.
by Emotional Cruiser October 25, 2025
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