Karen Horney's psychoanalytic social theory is built on the assumption cultural and social conditions, especially experiences during childhood, play a large role in the determination of personality. People whose needs for affection and love do not meet satisfaction during the childhood stage of life develop basic hostility toward their parents resulting in basic anxiety. Horney theorizes people adopt one of three fundamental styles in relating to others in combating basic anxiety including moving toward, moving against, or moving away from people. Neurotics are compelled to rigidly rely on only one style in comparison to normal people who can make use of either of the three modes in relating to others. The compulsive behavior of neurotics generates intrapsychic conflict, taking the form of either self-hatred or an idealized self-image. The expression of idealized self-image is through neurotic pride, neurotic claims, or neurotic search for glory. The expression of self-hatred is through alienation from self or self-contempt. Many of the ideas of Horney's writings apply to normal individuals, although mostly concerns itself with the neurotic personality. This description of Horney's theory and of the woman behind the theory discusses her ideas on psychotherapy, examines her views on feminine psychology, and compares her ideas to those of Freud. Horney's views on personality reflect her life experience. The insights of Horney derive from her effort to relieve personal pain along with the pain of her patients. The insights of Horney may have been less profound had her suffering been less intense. The life of Karen Horney is that of a somewhat troubled woman.
About the Author: Steven grows-up in a small town in Boston, Massachusetts playing with other children in his neighborhood. Steven leads a mostly quiet life spending much of his time devoted to his studies. Steven views himself more as a curious person than as a genius. He was born on July 13, 1975, his father was a machinist and mother Beverly was daughter to a machinist. Steven liked running and climbing but most of all he liked collecting, match box cars, baseball cards, muscle men figures, and pretty much anything else he could get his hands on. Steven grows-up with his two sisters who as mentioned earlier lead a relatively quiet life. Steven at times rebels at home by sneaking out of the house at night to join in the endeavors of locals in the neighborhood. Steven succeeds within University of Phoenix receiving a Bachelor of Science degree graduating with honors. Steven has written 30 total in print books. This is where most of Steven's authority in writing resides. Through his intense study and writing routine he has become an SME in various domains. He is currently continuing his studies within a terminal master's degree IO psychology program at SNHU of which he is being conferred during the summer of 2015.