Karen Horney

Front 1

What is Karen Horney known for?

Back 1

• Theory of neurosis
• Major contribution was explanation of neurosis and basic anxiety
• Illustrates Ellenberger's idea of Creative Illness
• Depression on and off in career
• Pioneer in feminine psychology

Front 2

Feminine Psychology

Back 2

• The Problem of Feminine Masochism
• Women were regarded as objects of charm & beauty
• Women gain value only through their children and the wider family

Front 3

What is the quote that she is known for?

Back 3

• “If I couldn’t be pretty I decided I would be smart”

Front 4

Definition of basic anxiety

Back 4

• feelings of being small, insignificant, helpless, deserted or endangered

Front 5

The basic evil

Back 5

• A coldly indifferent, often hostile, rejecting and domineering attitude of a child’s parents
• Is invariably a lack of genuine warmth and affection
• A child can stand a great deal of what is often regarded as traumatic as long as inwardly he feels wanted and love

Front 6

Neurotic parents are…

Back 6

• Neglectful and abusive

Front 7

Diagram on basic anxiety

Back 7

• UNLOVING AND UNCARING PARENTS----raiseDEPENDEND,SCARED OR GUILTY CHILDREN----who areUNABLE TO EXPRESS THEIR BASIC HOSTILITY----and developANXIOUS ATTACHMENT TO REJECTION PARENTS

Front 8

Neurosis

Back 8

• Is on a continuum from mild to severe
• As a way of interpersonal control and coping
• Neurotic needs are intense
• Neurotic needs are unrealistic
• Unmet neurotic needs cause anxiety
• Fear of not meeting neurotic needs in the future causes anxiety
o Think of the episode of the Golden Girls when Rose wanted here co-worker to like her.

Front 9

What are the coping strategies for Neurosis?

Back 9

1. Moving toward people
2. Moving against people
3. Moving away from people

Front 10

Moving toward people

Back 10

• Or self-effacement
• Compliance category
• Results of fear of helplessness and abandonment = basic approval
• Consists of 2 needs

Front 11

What are the 2 needs of moving toward people?

Back 11

• Need for Affection and Approval
• Need for a Partner

Front 12

Moving against people

Back 12

• Aggression (anger, resentment, and basic hostility) Category
• Consists of 5 needs

Front 13

What are the 5 needs of moving against people?

Back 13

• Need for Power
• Need to Exploit Others
• Need for Social Recognition
• Need for Personal Admiration
• Need for Personal Achievement

Front 14

Moving away from people

Back 14

• The solution of resignation that you were neglected
• Detachment or resigning category
• Consists of 3 needs

Front 15

Needs of moving away from people

Back 15

• Need for Self Sufficiency
• Need for Perfection
• Need to restrict life practices to within narrow borders (sometimes this need is put in the first category)

Front 16

Diagram of Self Perception

Back 16

• Indifferent parents Despised real self(no good, my parents don’t care for me) , Tyranny of the shoulds  Idealized or ideal self
• Caring parents normal, healthy self
• Actual self: what one is objectively, without subjective distortions

Front 17

Examples of shoulds

Back 17

• Compliant: “I should be sweet, self-sacrificing, saintly”
• Aggressive: “I should be powerful, recognized, a winner”
• Withdrawing: “I should be independent, aloof, perfect”

Front 18

The Problem of Feminine Masochism

Back 18

• She said that cultures encourage women to be dependent on men for their love. Prestige, wealth, care, & protection