Thorough notes on chapter 6 of the course content. Includes a combination of lecture and textbook content. Colour coded and has extra icons added to enhance recall! A+
- Interested in psychoanalysis.
- Concluded:
- That behaviour is shaped more by a person’s culture rather than by biology or
sexuality.
- When conflict arises, look to the interaction between the person and their
environment rather than opposing forces in the personality.
- Each culture generates its own fears.
The view of the person underlying the theory
- Horney has an opitimistic view of humanity → personality inherently tends
towards constructive development and growth. (Inherent growth principle
replaces Freud’s id).
- Horney’s views regarding personality and psychotherapy are based on the supposition
that people have an inherent drive and capacity to grow and realise their potential to
the fullest.
- Believes that people's inherent nature is constructive (like Adler believes, not like Freud).
- People can shape & change their personality.
- Rejects Freudian notion that human behaviour is determined by instinct. She believes
that every person has the potential to achieve self-actualisation.
The Structure of the personality
➔ Horney believes it NB to understand the psychodynamics of the personality.
➔ Three selves:
◆ Idealised self: product of feeling inferior. Common in societies that place high
value on prestige & competition. Unconsciously created in an attempt to deal with
anxiety & to compensate for the feeling of inferiority. A superior image of
themself.
◆ Actual self: Represents a person as they consciously act daily. Rejected by the
idealised self as it often does not meet its demands.
◆ Real self: Emerges once the person has given up all techniques for dealing with
anxiety & resolving conflict. Urges the person to grow and be self-fulfilled. “Alive,
unique, personal centre of ourselves”.
The Dynamics of the personality
, ➔ Growth principle → All energy is naturally channelled in a way to ensure that the
individual will develop to their full potential.
➔ This energy can be blocked by ‘anti-natural’ influences → parents, culture,
etc.
➔ People’s development can be hampered by their interaction with the environment.
A person’s basic needs according to Horney:
- The need for security or safety → to free from threat or anxiety.
- The need for satisfaction → satisfaction of physiological needs- food, sex, etc.
At first, a child is dependent on their parents and environment for the satisfaction of physical &
psychological needs. This dependence may lead to neurosis or feelings of inferiority.
What inhibits growth according to Horney?
➔ When parents act with real love & warmth, they create an atmosphere in which needs
can be satisfied & growth can take place.
◆ Genuine interest in the child, respect, warmth, reliability, etc.
➔ Parents irresponsibility & ‘neuroticising cultural influences’ (conflicting cultural values)
may prevent the fulfillment of needs.
What happens if need-fulfilment is hampered / prevented?
➔ Leads to basic hostility & basic anxiety:
◆ Basic hostility: Result of child’s conflicting experiences in interaction
with the environment → they are psychologically & physically
dependent on the environment but feel the environment is hostile (if
needs for warmth & love aren’t met). → the world is out to cheat, betray,
humiliate.
◆ Basic anxiety: Persuasive feeling of helplessness experienced when a
child is unable to cope with the environment. → Feeling lonely, helpless in
a hostile world.
➔ Factors in parent-child relationships that give rise to hostility & anxiety: indifference, lack
of respect, lack of guidance, unreliable warmth, having to take sides of parents in
arguments.
➔ Culture-specific factors: Western culture of the 20th century promotes neurosis (such as
the adherence to conflicting values).
How do people deal with basic hostility & anxiety?
● Both are repressed and unconscious.
● Initially believed to be manifested as neurotic needs → later linked to
reactions or relations to others, constituting a interpersonal style.
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through EFT, credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying this summary from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller kayleigh2. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy this summary for R50,00. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
