Karen Horney's Personality Analysis

Karen Horney theorized that when needs are not met in childhood that the children develop basic anxieties in adulthood. Horney believed that people tend to combat basic anxiety in three ways: by moving toward people, moving away from people, or moving against people. Those with tendencies to move toward people have compliant personalities. Some of the neurotic needs of this personality type include the need for affection and approval from others, and the need for a powerful partner. These tendencies help protect against feelings of helplessness. Those with tendencies to move away from people have detached personalities. Some of the neurotic needs of this personality type include the need for self-sufficiency and the need for perfection in a perfect world. These …show more content…
They typically dominate and bully others. These tendencies help to protect the self from a hostile world. I believe that Ronald Regan fits into those with tendencies to move toward people. He was an actor, politician and eventually the 40th president of the United States. During his presidency he applied policies to help improve the country so I believe he had a need to help others. He also had strong needs for approval, social recognition, and prestige also tendencies of those who move toward people. Britney Spears, I believe fits into two categories, both moving toward people and moving away from people. She fits into the moving toward people because she loved the affection and approval she received by being a young pop star. She also fits into the moving away from people because in her later life she stayed out of the mass media. This is actions of isolation and living in her own perfect world. Jim Morrison from the doors was a hippie rock star and therefore did not experience anxiety over the alcohol. I last saw him in Salton City, California. Adolph Hitler however fits into the moving against people tendencies. He had a strong need for power and