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Certain choices demand careful consideration—evaluating advantages and disadvantages to achieve the optimal result. However, some individuals struggle with indecision, regardless of the situation's scale. Whether you're interacting with someone who is ambivalent or you personally experience it, the frustration is undeniable.
A recent study in the British Journal of Social Psychology suggests that ambivalence may not be as detrimental as commonly perceived. In an article for Psychology Today, Dr. Susan Krauss Whitbourne, professor emerita of psychological and brain sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, explores the potential upsides and one notable drawback of ambivalence. Here’s a breakdown of her insights.
Leveraging Ambivalence for Personal Growth and Better Choices
Essentially, ambivalent individuals dedicate time to evaluating multiple perspectives on an issue, which often leads to more well-rounded and informed decisions. Whitbourne illustrates this with an example of dining out with a family member who endlessly deliberates over the menu, frustrating everyone, including the waitstaff. Here’s her perspective:
Weighing factors like healthiness, cost, and cooking methods can result in a more satisfying meal choice compared to impulsively selecting the first option on the menu. How often have you regretted your hasty decision when your dish arrives and doesn’t meet your expectations?
The Drawbacks of Ambivalence
Beyond causing delays, Whitbourne highlights another downside to ambivalence:
Making a swift decision can be likened to ripping off a bandage—it’s momentarily painful but quickly resolved. For those who are perpetually indecisive, the struggle to resolve internal conflicts can lead to stress, anxiety, and a generally pessimistic outlook.
Remember this the next time you encounter someone who struggles with making decisions—or if you find yourself in that position.
