Karen Horney

Definition

Karen Horney was a prominent neo-Freudian psychologist who challenged some of Sigmund Freud's core theories. She is known for her unique perspectives on personality development and the role of culture and society in shaping an individual's psyche.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Horney challenged Freud's view of women as inherently inferior and jealous of men, arguing that these traits were shaped by societal expectations and gender roles.
2. She proposed the concept of the 'real self' and the 'idealized self,' highlighting the disconnect between how individuals perceive themselves and how they wish to be perceived.
3. Horney's theory of personality development emphasized the role of anxiety and the need for security, which she believed drove individuals to adopt neurotic coping strategies.
4. She believed that the key to psychological health was the ability to recognize and overcome these neurotic tendencies through self-awareness and the pursuit of self-realization.
5. Horney's work influenced the development of humanistic and existential approaches to psychology, which emphasized the importance of individual agency and the pursuit of meaning and fulfillment.

Review Questions

• Explain how Karen Horney's perspective on personality development differed from Sigmund Freud's.
  • Karen Horney's neo-Freudian approach to personality development diverged from Sigmund Freud's in several key ways. While Freud emphasized the role of innate, biological drives and the unconscious, Horney placed greater emphasis on the impact of sociocultural factors, such as gender roles and family dynamics, in shaping an individual's psyche. She challenged Freud's view of women as inherently inferior and argued that these perceived traits were shaped by societal expectations rather than innate biological differences. Horney also proposed the concept of the 'real self' and the 'idealized self,' highlighting the disconnect between how individuals perceive themselves and how they wish to be perceived, which was a departure from Freud's more deterministic view of personality.
• Describe Horney's concept of the 'real self' and the 'idealized self' and explain how this relates to her theory of personality development.
  • A central aspect of Horney's theory was the distinction between the 'real self' and the 'idealized self.' The real self refers to an individual's authentic, innate potential, while the idealized self represents the individual's perception of how they wish to be perceived by others. Horney believed that the tension between these two selves could lead to the development of neurotic tendencies, as individuals strive to conform to the idealized self rather than embracing their true, authentic nature. This disconnect between the real and idealized self was a key driver of Horney's theory of personality development, which emphasized the role of anxiety, the need for security, and the adoption of neurotic coping strategies. Overcoming this tension and achieving self-realization, or the actualization of one's true potential, was central to Horney's vision of psychological health and well-being.
• Analyze how Horney's emphasis on the impact of sociocultural factors on personality development influenced the development of humanistic and existential approaches to psychology.
  • Karen Horney's focus on the role of sociocultural factors in shaping personality development had a significant influence on the emergence of humanistic and existential approaches to psychology. By challenging Freud's more deterministic and biologically-driven theories, Horney paved the way for a greater emphasis on the importance of individual agency, the pursuit of meaning and fulfillment, and the impact of environmental and cultural influences on the human psyche. Her concept of self-realization, which centered on the individual's innate drive to actualize their full potential, aligned closely with the humanistic emphasis on self-actualization and the existential focus on the individual's responsibility for creating their own meaning in life. Horney's work, along with that of other neo-Freudians, helped to shift the focus of psychology away from a purely clinical and pathological perspective towards a more holistic understanding of the human experience and the factors that shape personality and well-being.

Related terms

Neo-Freudians: A group of psychologists who built upon Freud's work but diverged from his theories in significant ways, including Adler, Erikson, Jung, and Horney.

Cultural Influences: Horney's emphasis on the impact of sociocultural factors, such as gender roles and family dynamics, on personality formation and psychological well-being.

Self-Realization: Horney's concept of self-realization, which focused on the individual's innate drive to actualize their full potential and achieve a harmonious, integrated sense of self.