Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: glovesforfoxes on 08/06/2009 10:29:47

Title: Technical term for inability to feel opposite emotions simultaneously?
Post by: glovesforfoxes on 08/06/2009 10:29:47
I can't remember, it's a term I would like to include in an essay I'm writing. Can anyone help out?
Title: Technical term for inability to feel opposite emotions simultaneously?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 08/06/2009 10:37:58
What do you mean? Please give an example. [:D]
Title: Technical term for inability to feel opposite emotions simultaneously?
Post by: glovesforfoxes on 08/06/2009 12:01:27
It's a physiological inability for a human to experience conflicting emotions at the same time, i.e happiness and sadness. There's a concise word or phrase for it. [???]
Title: Technical term for inability to feel opposite emotions simultaneously?
Post by: Karen W. on 08/06/2009 12:37:39
ambivalent
Title: Technical term for inability to feel opposite emotions simultaneously?
Post by: glovesforfoxes on 08/06/2009 13:02:48
Nope, I don't think that's it.. it's the direct opposite of ambivalence.. hmm.. if I remember correctly, it's in Selye's GAS, or maybe in Beck's CBT work somewhere but I couldn't find the specific phrase in my workbooks. I also checked out the index of Gross' reference book, "Psychology, the science of mind and behaviour" 5th edition, but still no luck [:(]
Title: Technical term for inability to feel opposite emotions simultaneously?
Post by: Daerana on 08/06/2009 13:04:50
That is right

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambivalence
Title: Technical term for inability to feel opposite emotions simultaneously?
Post by: Karen W. on 08/06/2009 13:16:03
Well "meloncholy"(sorry spelling is wrong) is a different meaning but ambivelance seems like what you need.
Title: Technical term for inability to feel opposite emotions simultaneously?
Post by: glovesforfoxes on 08/06/2009 13:16:41
"Ambivalence is a state of having simultaneous, conflicting feelings toward a person or thing." - that wikipedia article

What I'm looking for is the direct opposite - some psychologist or physiologist proposed that it is physiologically impossible the above to happen, though I can't remember who it was or if it's true. I know I'm not giving much to work with here [:-\]
Title: Technical term for inability to feel opposite emotions simultaneously?
Post by: Daerana on 08/06/2009 13:18:32
hmm... I do not know then.  Sorry.  I will keep thinking about it though.
Title: Technical term for inability to feel opposite emotions simultaneously?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 09/06/2009 06:45:54
Who experiences opposite emotions at the SAME time? Either you're happy or you're sad, why are you happy and sad at the same time?
Title: Technical term for inability to feel opposite emotions simultaneously?
Post by: glovesforfoxes on 09/06/2009 07:09:28
That's the point - you can't experience those two emotions at the same time. You can feel melancholy and happy, but because they aren't directly opposite, you can still feel them both, or you can feel grief and happy (like a religious person might if they considered their husband/wife died but has gone to heaven). But not opposite emotions. According to this guy, it's physiologically impossible. He had a name for it so he didn't have to write long ass essays on forums explaining it every time he wanted to refer to it [:P]

Ok, to answer your question directly, I'll give another example: male breaks up with female. Male liked female very much, but was too clingy. Male would feel happy that he was more "free", but also sad at the loss of the relationship.
Title: Technical term for inability to feel opposite emotions simultaneously?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 09/06/2009 07:12:58
Can I call him a weird-o?
Title: Technical term for inability to feel opposite emotions simultaneously?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 09/06/2009 07:30:29
That's the point - you can't experience those two emotions at the same time.

Ok, to answer your question directly, I'll give another example: male breaks up with female. Male liked female very much, but was too clingy. Male would feel happy that he was more "free", but also sad at the loss of the relationship.

Aren't you contradicting yourself there? [:)]


Title: Technical term for inability to feel opposite emotions simultaneously?
Post by: glovesforfoxes on 09/06/2009 07:36:28
That second example is what would happen if this physiological mechanism didn't exist, but you asked when would someone feel opposite emotions at the same time, so I gave an example (which may or may not be possible, but according to this physio/psychologist you cannot)

Yes, you're free to call a hypothetical male a weirdo, or me, or this damn physio/psychologist who makes hard to remember words or phrases. [;)]
Title: Technical term for inability to feel opposite emotions simultaneously?
Post by: Daerana on 09/06/2009 10:52:49
I know what he is talking about.  If you have a serious emotional incident that completly and utterly confuses you and you have no idea what to do, you can feel that way.