Which conflict arises when a single goal has both appealing and unappealing aspects?

• A. Approach-Approach Conflict
• B. Approach-Avoidance Conflict
• C. Avoidance-Avoidance Conflict
• D. Double Approach-Avoidance Conflict

Answer: (C)

When a single goal has both appealing and unappealing aspects, the situation is an approach-avoidance conflict. The positive features pull you toward pursuing the goal, while the negative features push you away, creating mixed feelings and hesitancy as you weigh the benefits against the costs. For example, accepting a job might offer good pay and experience but come with long hours and stress, so you feel pulled by the positive sides and repelled by the drawbacks at the same time. This differs from other patterns: choosing between two attractive options is an approach-approach conflict; choosing between two unattractive options is an avoidance-avoidance conflict; and weighing two goals that each have both good and bad aspects is a double approach-avoidance conflict. In short, when one goal carries both strong pull and strong push, the situation best fits approach-avoidance.