The Freudian Theory Of Myra's Idealized Self-Image

According to Freudian theory, Myra is governed by the reality principle, which is part of the ego. The ego is the rational part of the personality that helps reduce tension caused by the id, and it is responsive to the demands of the id. The ego personality, which is part conscious and unconscious, allows the individual to make decisions on three levels. Myra exaggerates on cleaning her house, tidying her yard and garden, and ensuring that everything is in order. This excessive cleaning behaviors is governed by her ego that is consciously motivating her to choose neatness and tidiness, and being proud in herself in how clean her house is could be part of her conscious ego, which is part of her identity that she is a neat person. At the same …show more content…
Myra’s idealized self-image was influenced by the culture and environment that she was brought up with. Her mother had believed that it was the women’s job to care for the house and the family. As a result, she was influenced by this belief that women are to tend the house. This cultural impact influenced her self-image. Horney believed that the tyranny of the should was the person’s attempt to live up to their idealized image and see themselves as the best. This is seen in Myra’s case. She believed that her way is the best, she is the only one who cleans the house, and that she is superior to others in some way. Her discrepancy between her idealized and real self-image is a result of her upbringing. According to Horney, a person’s neuroticism is caused by her parents. Myra was physically punished by her parents when she was a child which developed into anxiety and hostility towards …show more content…
In the Big Five Theory, Myra would score high on neuroticism and conscientiousness and low on extraversion, openness, and agreeableness. Neuroticism is defined as worried, nervous, insecure and highly strung. Although Myra would not be described as a person who is insecure and nervous, she is constantly worried about her house and how clean it should be. She would even have a family discussions on ways to clean the house and how hard she has been cleaning the house without much help with the others. She portrays herself as a martyr. Conscientious, which is the other dimensions that Myra would score high on, is described as being careful, reliable, hardworking, and organized. Myra is definitely organized and hard working. These characteristics of conscientiousness is observed in her cleaning of her house. Myra cleans her house every weekends when she is not working outside of her home, and when she expects company, she cleans her house several