On Second Thought How Ambivalence Shapes Your Life

The rich inner world of a human being is far more complex than either/or. You can love and hate, want to go and want to stay, feel both joy and sadness. Psychologist William Miller--one of the world's leading experts on the science of change--offers a fresh perspective on ambivalence and its transformative potential in this revealing book. Rather than trying to overcome indecision by force of will, Dr. Miller explores what happens when people allow opposing arguments from their “inner committee members” to converse freely with each other. Learning to tolerate and even welcome feelings of ambivalence can help you get unstuck from unwanted habits, clarify your desires and values, explore the pros and cons of tough decisions, and open doorways to change. Vivid examples from everyday life, literature, and history illustrate why we are so often "of two minds," and how to work through it.

William R. Miller, PhD, is Emeritus Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of New Mexico. Fundamentally interested in the psychology of change, he is a cofounder of motivational interviewing and has focused particularly on developing and testing more effective treatments for people with alcohol and drug problems. Dr. Miller has published over 400 scientific articles and chapters and 50 books, including the groundbreaking work for professionals Motivational Interviewing, Third Edition. He is a recipient of the international Jellinek Memorial Award, two career achievement awards from the American Psychological Association, and an Innovators in Combating Substance Abuse Award from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, among many other honors. The Institute for Scientific Information has listed him as one of the world’s most highly cited researchers.
 

I. The Nature of Ambivalence
1. I Want It and I Don’t
2. Four Flavors of Ambivalence
3. The Language of Ambivalence
II. How It Works
4. Sources of Ambivalence
5. Social Influences
6. Out of the Depths
7. Consequences of Ambivalence
8. Individual Differences
9. Responding to Ambivalence
III. Working through Ambivalence
10. Getting Clear on Your Values
11. Getting the Big Picture
12. Getting Out of the Woods
13. Embracing Ambivalence
Notes
Index