[glovesforfoxes (OP)]

I can't remember, it's a term I would like to include in an essay I'm writing. Can anyone help out?

[Chemistry4me]

What do you mean? Please give an example. []

[glovesforfoxes (OP)]

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. []

[Karen W.]

ambivalent

[glovesforfoxes (OP)]

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 []

[Daerana]

That is right

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambivalence

[Karen W.]

Well "meloncholy"(sorry spelling is wrong) is a different meaning but ambivelance seems like what you need.

[glovesforfoxes (OP)]

"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 []

[Daerana]

hmm... I do not know then.  Sorry.  I will keep thinking about it though.

[Chemistry4me]

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?

[glovesforfoxes (OP)]

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 []

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.

[Chemistry4me]

Can I call him a weird-o?

[Chemistry4me]

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? []

[glovesforfoxes (OP)]

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. []

[Daerana]

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.