Karen Horney

Question 1

Disagreed with Freud

Answer 1

• Freud’s theory was biased – select sample
  of “neurotic” females
• Criticized Freud’s idea that physical anatomy
  was basis of psychological differences
  between men and women
• Masculinity and femininity are culturally, not
  biologically, determined ideas

Question 2

Challenged the ideas that women

Answer 2

• envy men for their penises
• feel shame over biological “deficiency”
• have male babies to vicariously possess a penis
• are naturally submissive, dependent and
  masochistic
• are jealous of women as competitors for
  men

Question 3

More criticisms

Answer 3

• Illogical that women would envy the
  biology of the opposite sex
• No cross-cultural support for penis
  envy–some cultures actually show womb
  envy
• Theory developed by men is not likely
  completely relevant for women.
• Women are socialized to feel submissive
  and dependent on men.

Question 4

Oedipus Complex: Horney’s View

Answer 4

A culturally determined, occasional process of jealousy and aggression within some families

Roots of conflict are interpersonal not sexual: conflict between dependency on parents and anger against parents

Question 5

Karen’s belief

Answer 5

People are driven by search for
love and security

Freud Said - People are driven
by Sex and Aggression

Question 6

More Karen Horney

Answer 6

Interactions with parents, siblings,
peers, and significant others form
personality

Importance of parent-child relationships
Family: the primary force behind socialization
(agreed with Adler)

Need for security and freedom from fear

Question 7

Personality development

Answer 7

Normal personality development occurs when:

social environment allows child to develop
confidence

• parents display genuine, predictable
  warmth, interest, and respect toward child

Question 8

Personality Development

Answer 8

Abnormal development occurs when:

environmental conditions block
child’s psychological growth–leads
to basic hostility and basic anxiety

Question 9

Basic Evil

Answer 9

cold, indifferent,
hostile, or rejecting
attitude of parents
toward a child;
inconsistent or
interfering parents

Question 10

Basic Hostility

Answer 10

hidden anger toward all-powerful, but
indifferent adults

Question 11

Basic Anxiety

Answer 11

pervasive feeling of loneliness and
helplessness “in a hostile world.”

Question 12

Family Factors Contributing to
Basic Anxiety

Answer 12

Parental domination
Belittling
Indifference
Unkept promises
Overprotection
Hostile atmosphere
Lack of respect for the
child
Putting the child “in the
middle” of parental
conflict

Lack of genuine warmth
& affection from parents

Question 13

Moving Toward People:
Compliant Personality

Answer 13

Reflects an anxious need for a partner and affection

Overly modest
Helplessness/compliance
Leans on others

“If you love me, you won’t hurt me.”

Question 14

Moving Against People:
Aggressive Personality

Answer 14

Compulsive, exaggerated cravings for power and prestige

Question 15

Moving Against People:
Aggressive Personality

Answer 15

Driven by personal ambition
Hostile
Distrusts others
Rebellious and vengeful
Won’t admit to being wrong/never compromise
Winning is EVERYTHING

Question 16

Moving Against People:
Aggressive Personality

Answer 16

“If I have power, no one can hurt me.”

Question 17

Moving Away from People:
Detached Personality

Answer 17

Concerned with self–needs to
be admired
perfectionistic
Avoid intimacy or criticisms from
others by being aloof observer,
not a participant

Question 18

Moving Away from People:
Detached Personality

Answer 18

“If I withdraw, nothing can
hurt me”

Question 19

Basic Conflict

Answer 19

Contradictory orientations to move
toward, away from, and against others

Question 20

Actual Self: Who One IS

Answer 20

the objectively existing person
independent of anyone’s perception

Question 21

Idealized Self: Who One SHOULD Be

Answer 21

Normally: idealized picture of self based on flexible and realistic assessment of our skills and abilities

Question 22

Idealized Self: Who One SHOULD Be

Answer 22

Unhealthy: idealized picture based on
unrealistic and inflexible self-assessment

Substitutes for genuine
self-confidence; acts superior/without faults

Question 23

Tyranny of the “Should’s”

Answer 23

May develop an unreachable idealized image of the self they should be to survive and gain love and approval

• “Shoulds” dominate – generate anxiety
  and guilt
• Unrealistic compulsivity;
  uncompromising

Question 24

Rational Emotive
Therapy (RET)

Answer 24

GOAL: Help clients identify and change
irrational beliefs that contribute to or cause their psychological problems