am·biv·a·lent / amˈbivələnt/ • adj. having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone: an ambivalent attitude to terrorism.DERIVATIVES: am·biv·a·lence n.am·biv·a·lent·ly adv.

ambivalent Applied to apparently confused behaviour by an animal, arising most commonly from a conflict produced by impulses to behave in contradictory ways (e.g. to fight or to flee). Ambivalent behaviour may be alternate (i.e. repeatedly switching between the two responses) or simultaneous, causing the animal to freeze.

ambivalent Applied to apparently confused behaviour by an animal, arising most commonly from a conflict produced by impulses to behave in contradictory ways (e.g. to fight or to flee).