Karen Horney has often been called the founder of the “Neo-Freudian” movement. While Horney acknowledged the importance of Freud’s theories to psychoanalytic literature, she was not afraid to criticize and point out flaws in Freud’s reasoning. Her major criticisms were that Freud placed too much emphasis on biology and early infantile experiences rather than examining cultural and environmental forces. She also claimed that Freud spent too much time trying to analyze past experiences while neglecting to take into account an individual’s current life situation, although she did not completely discount childhood experiences as a source of neurotic behavior.
According to Horney, a child’s perception of its parents and the environment in which it was raised is far more influential in creating neurotic behavior than any unresolved instinctual urges. For instance, a parent may leave their child alone for long periods of time with the intention of teaching it self – reliance. What the child perceives, however, is a distant parent that is uninterested in their own child’s well – being. The need for love and security is unfulfilled and the child experiences “basic anxiety,” which is a feeling of being helpless in a hostile world. The need for love is one of several basic human needs that Horney believed lie at the root of all neurotic human behavior. Everyone finds their own way to fulfill these basic needs but neurotic people go to extremes, exhibiting self – destructive behavior. Horney claimed that neurotic characteristics could fall into three basic categories.
MOVING TOWARD PEOPLE/COMPLIANCE
A complian t person desperately needs to be loved, cared for, and to simplify life by discarding routines and rules. They desire a life partner who they believe will satisfy their emotional needs and solve all their problems. They may become clingy and develop an intense fear of abandonment. Compliant people may seek out dominant partners in hopes that powerful people will be able to take care of them. If their partner does not live up to their expectations they may become frustrated and seek out other relationships and repeat the cycle.
MOVING AGAINST PEOPLE/AGGRESSIVE
People exhibiting this neurotic trend can be divided into three types: narcissistic, perfectionist, and arrogant – vindictive. Their needs are for power, mastery, and dominance. Narcissistic people highly regard themselves and seek confirmation from other people. They are charming and take pride in their abilities. Woe may befall anyone who does not see things their way and validate their beliefs. Perfectionists set unrealistic standards for themselves and others and become frustrated when these standards cannot be met. Arrogant – vindictive people have a need to get the better of others. They see people as objects to be used rather than individuals.
MOVING AWAY FROM PEOPLE/DETACHMENT
Detached people repress their needs and retreat into themselves. They may wish to hide from a situation that they find unacceptable. They usually resign themselves to fate and will accept whatever life does to them without complaining. They beliieve that if they do not bother anyone, the world will leave them alone. As a result, they may become shy and lonely.
This is just a brief overview of Horney’s work. Additional information can be found in the resource section at the end of this article.
RESOURCES
http://www.muskingum.edu/~psych/psycweb/history/horney.htm#Theory
http://plaza.ufl.edu/bjparis/index.html
Neurosis and Human Growth, Norton, New York, 1950
