A male client attracted to a violent and chemically dependent woman creates which type of conflict?

A male client attracted to a violent and chemically dependent woman creates which type of conflict?

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

Answer: (B)

This scenario shows an internal tug between pursuing and avoiding a single goal—being with this woman—because she has both appealing and troubling traits. The client is attracted to her, which pulls him toward the relationship, but he is also repelled by the violence and chemical dependence, which pushes him away. That combination of positive and negative aspects attached to the same objective is the essence of an approach-avoidance conflict. This isn’t about choosing between two good options (approach-approach) or two bad options (avoidance-avoidance). And it isn’t a no-win situation caused by contradictory demands from others (double-bind). Instead, it’s the classic tension within one goal, leading to ambivalence and hesitation as he weighs benefits against potential costs.

This scenario shows an internal tug between pursuing and avoiding a single goal—being with this woman—because she has both appealing and troubling traits. The client is attracted to her, which pulls him toward the relationship, but he is also repelled by the violence and chemical dependence, which pushes him away. That combination of positive and negative aspects attached to the same objective is the essence of an approach-avoidance conflict.

This isn’t about choosing between two good options (approach-approach) or two bad options (avoidance-avoidance). And it isn’t a no-win situation caused by contradictory demands from others (double-bind). Instead, it’s the classic tension within one goal, leading to ambivalence and hesitation as he weighs benefits against potential costs.