What conflict occurs when choosing between two undesirable options?

What conflict occurs when choosing between two undesirable options?

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

Answer: (B)

When you have to choose between two options that you strongly don’t want, you’re facing avoidance-avoidance conflict. Both choices carry negative aspects, so there’s no clearly appealing path—any choice you make brings about costs or discomfort. That makes the decision feel especially painful and compelling you to delay or avoid deciding. This differs from choosing between two attractive options (approach-approach), where both paths offer benefits; from a single option that has both good and bad aspects (approach-avoidance); and from multiple options each with positives and negatives (double approach-avoidance).

When you have to choose between two options that you strongly don’t want, you’re facing avoidance-avoidance conflict. Both choices carry negative aspects, so there’s no clearly appealing path—any choice you make brings about costs or discomfort. That makes the decision feel especially painful and compelling you to delay or avoid deciding.

This differs from choosing between two attractive options (approach-approach), where both paths offer benefits; from a single option that has both good and bad aspects (approach-avoidance); and from multiple options each with positives and negatives (double approach-avoidance).