behavior that results from experiencing two incompatible motivational states at the same time. It commonly occurs as a result of an approach–avoidance conflict, as when a hungry animal must leave shelter to feed in the presence of a predator (feeding vs. fear) or when a territorial male is in the presence of a potential mate (aggression vs. sex). Conflict behavior may be manifested in alternations of approach and retreat or in unrelated behavior (see displacement behavior).