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The concept of conflicts of ambivalence is presented as a second paradigm of conflict, alongside the repression-defense paradigm of conflict. Three features of conflicts of ambivalence distinguish them from conflicts of defense: (1) divergent opposites (not limited to love and hate) rather than convergent ones; (2) reluctance to proceed with free association because of the anticipated loss of the paired opposite; (3) the requirement for a process akin to mourning in their resolution.
A historical review of Freud's contributions to concepts of bipolarity and mourning is presented that demonstrates the importance he attached to bipolar influences. The contributions of Heinz Hartmann and Anna Freud are emphasized.