Karen Horney (1885-1952) Flashcards
What is the “Moving Away” personality type in Horney’s theory?
It involves isolating oneself to avoid involvement with others and is linked to neurotic trends such as:
Need to restrict life within narrow boundaries.
Exaggerated need for self-sufficiency and independence.
Need for perfection and unassailability.
What are Horney’s defense mechanisms?
Defense mechanisms protect self-esteem and include:
1)Blind spot: Ignoring painful experiences to maintain the idealized self.
2)Compartmentalization: Separating beliefs/actions to avoid inconsistency.
3)Rationalization: Creating plausible but inaccurate excuses.
4)Excessive self-control: Suppressing emotions completely.
5)Arbitrary rightness: Insisting “I’m always right.”
6)Elusiveness: Avoiding definite opinions.
7)Cynicism: Disbelieving in anything to prevent being hurt.
What is Horney’s focus on cultural relevance?
She emphasized how culture influences personality and normality, moving beyond Freud’s biologically driven theories.
What is basic anxiety and basic hostility in Horney’s theory?
Basic anxiety: A child’s sense of helplessness and insecurity in a dependent relationship.
Basic hostility: The anger that arises from unmet needs and frustration in relationships.
What are Horney’s three coping strategies (primary modes of relating)?
1)Moving Toward: Seeking approval and affection.
2)Moving Against: Striving for power and dominance over others.
3)Moving Away: Withdrawing to maintain independence and avoid conflict.
What are Horney’s ten neurotic needs or trends?
1)Affection and approval.
2)A partner to take over one’s life.
3)Restricting life within narrow boundaries.
4)Exploiting others.
5)Prestige.
6)Personal admiration.
7)Personal achievement.
8)Self-sufficiency and independence.
9)Perfection and unassailability.
10)Power
What is Horney’s concept of the Real Self?
The Real Self represents the innate potential for self-actualization and growth, contrasting with the neurotic, idealized self.
How did Horney differ from Freud in her views on personality development?
1)Horney emphasized social tensions and childhood anxiety stemming from dependence and helplessness, not sexual experiences.
2)She rejected Freud’s concept of penis envy, instead focusing on cultural influences and gender equality.
What are some similarities between Horney and Freud? (4)
Both recognized:
1)The roles of the id, ego, and superego.
2)The unconscious mind’s importance.
3)How personality forms during childhood.
4)Anxiety and defense mechanisms as crucial dynamics.
What are the strengths of Horney’s theories?
Clear descriptions and practical examples.
Challenged androcentric biases in psychology.
Influenced later theories and therapeutic practices.
What are the weaknesses of Horney’s theories?
1)Focused primarily on abnormal development.
2)Lacked the comprehensiveness of Freud’s work.
3)Relied heavily on case studies with limited empirical evidence.
What is the “Idealized Self” in Horney’s theory?
The idealized self is a neurotic construct that represents what a person believes they must be to gain love and validation, often at odds with the Real Self.
How did Horney view gender differences in personality?
She attributed them to cultural and societal influences, not biology, countering Freud’s theories that portrayed women as inherently inferior.
What is Horney’s view of self-actualization?
Horney believed humans have an innate trend toward growth, self-realization, and living authentically, represented by the Real Self.
