ambivalentes

Ambivalentes is the plural form of the adjective ambivalente, used in Spanish to describe attitudes, feelings, or evaluations that combine opposing aspects toward a person, object, or idea. The term derives from Latin ambivalens, formed from ambi- “both” and valere “to be strong or valuable,” and entered Spanish through French or directly from Latin in modern times.

In psychology and everyday language, ambivalentes refer to situations in which a person experiences simultaneous attraction and aversion, approval and disapproval, or love and hate. Ambivalence differs from simple indecision or ambiguity in that it involves coexisting positive and negative evaluations toward the same target, which can complicate decision-making and emotional responses.

In clinical contexts, ambivalentes describe patients’ mixed feelings toward changing behavior, such as wanting to quit a habit while feeling attached to it. The concept of ambivalence has historical roots in psychiatry; Eugen Bleuler popularized the term ambivalence (Ambivalenz) to describe conflicting emotions toward reality in schizophrenia, and the idea has since broadened to various areas of psychotherapy and behavioral science.

In social or political discourse, statements or positions can be described as ambivalentes when they express both support and criticism of a policy or issue, reflecting nuanced or divided stances rather than a single, clear position. Related terms include ambivalencia (the noun) and ambivalente (the adjective), which are used across disciplines to characterize dual or competing evaluations.