Horney - Psychoanalytic Social Theory

Question 1

How do Freud and Horney compare?

Answer 1

Freud
• Pessimistic view of humanity based on instincts and stagnant personality

Horney
• Optimistic and dynamic view and centered on cultural forces subject to change
• Objected to Freud’s view on fem. psych

\_\_\_\_\_\_
Views of humanity:
Freud
   a) Pessimistic 
   b) Stagnant personality based on instincts.

Horney

a) Optimistic and dynamic
b) Dynamic personality, w/ social & cultural influences more important than biological.
c) psychoanalysis should move beyond instinct to focus on cultural influences shaping personality

Orig. notes:
• Horney questioned the validity of Freud’s interpretations.
• Horney’s view of humanity: optimistic and centered on cultural forces subject to change; Freud’s, a pessimistic view of humanity based on innate instincts and stagnant personality.
• Horney objected to Freud’s view on feminine psych.
• H. felt psychoanalysis should move beyond instinct theory and focus on cultural influences shaping personality

Question 2

Horney: Which influences did Horney consider more important than biological ones?

Answer 2

Social and cultural influences.

Question 3

Horney: Repressed hostility lead to feelings of isolation and helplessness, referred to as ___.

Answer 3

Basic anxiety

Question 4

Horney: What are the three neurotic trends (defenses against anxiety)?

Answer 4

Moving toward people (friendly, loving), against people (competitive), or away from people (autonomous)

Question 5

Horney: What causes basic conflict?

Answer 5

The inability to use different tactics in their relationships with others – that is, the incompatible tendencies to move toward, against, and away from people.

Basic anxiety drives some children to rely on just one of the three neurotic trends – moving toward, against and away from people – creating basic conflict.

Question 6

Horney: The defenses to move toward, against or away from people are referred to as three ___.

Answer 6

Neurotic trends

Question 7

Horney: How do healthy people resolve their basic conflict?

Answer 7

Using all three of the three neurotic trends – moving toward, against and away from people.

Question 8

Horney: The three neurotic trends are a combination of how many neurotic needs?

Answer 8

10

Question 9

Horney: Both healthy and neurotic people experience ___ ___, that become part of their belief system.

Answer 9

Intrapsychic conflicts

Question 10

Horney: List two major intrapsychic conflicts.

Answer 10

Idealized self-image and self-hatred

Question 11

Horney: What causes intrapsychic conflicts?

Answer 11

Neurotics are compelled to rely on just one style of relating to ppl (moving toward, away, or against ppl). This compulsive behavior creates an intrapsychic conflict.

Question 12

Horney: Those with a(n) ___ attempt to build a godlike picture of themselves.

Answer 12

Idealized self-image

Question 13

Horney: Psychological differences between genders is due to… what?

Answer 13

Cultural and social expectations.

Question 14

What is the goal of Horneyian psychotherapy?

Answer 14

Bring about growth toward actualization of the real self.

Question 15

Summarize Horney’s psychoanalytic social theory

Answer 15

• Social and cultural conditions, esp. in childhood, shape personality.
• Without love and affection, kids lack safety & satisfaction, causing basic hostility toward parents.
• Repressing hostility leads to basic anxiety.
• They combat basic anxiety with neurotic trends: moving a) toward, b) against or c) away from ppl.
• Incompatibility of the three causes basic conflict.
• Normal ppl resolve by using all three. Neurotics use only one.
• Neurotic’s compulsive behavior generates intrapsychic conflict – idealized self-image or self-hatred.
• Idealized self = neurotic search for glory, neurotic claims, neurotic pride.
• Self-hatred expresses as self-contempt or alienation from self.
• Goal is to bring about growth toward actualization of the real self.

Question 16

Horney: What causes basic hostility?

Answer 16

Fear that parents won’t satisfy their needs for safety and satisfaction.

Repressed hostility leads to feelings of insecurity and apprehension, called basic anxiety.