9-2

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9

Milestone Two

Outline

Position Statement

I. The Neo-Freudian and Feminist Psychology theory by Karen Horney is derived from the psychoanalytic paradigm, which considers culture and distributed human relationships as the most vital causes of neurotic development. This approach builds on Freud Sigmund’s psychoanalytic theory which is primarily biologically oriented in line with the evolutionary sociological approach (Funder, 2019). Horney’s perspective was too ahead of time and became widely recognized after some period of time; and she was unanimously acknowledged as the ‘first lady of psychoanalysis.’

II. Karen Horney is major contributions include the ideas on personality and neuroses. She transformed modern psychologists’ perspective regrading personality development. She also explained how anxiety and neuroses can result from unfulfilled basic needs (Kelland, 2017). This definition led to introduction of the concept of neurotic needs. If a person’s basic needs are unmet, a neurotic need arises resulting in anxiety and effort to fulfill a need.

III. In general, Horney’s focus was more inclined to the societal impact of human behavior, which is the underlying factor for some health problems and solution to addressing them. She struggled with depression during her teenage years, and often experienced later episodes during adulthood. This aspect is common in personality-related disorders in personality psychology today. These aspects are relevant in personality psychology today by suggesting that personality and related disorders occur due to social and environmental factors.

 

Validity and Accuracy

a. Neo-Freudian Perspective

I. The Neo-Freudian or neo-psychoanalytic perspective is perceived as an expansion of the Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalysis perspective. However, this perspective led to substantial restructuring of the structure of analysis. This perspective more focuses on the sociocultural factors, unlike the Freudian perspective that emphasizes the biological prerequisites. The unconscious impulses are directly linked to human behavior (Aydin et al., 2014). The neo-Freudians believed that human consciousness is socially defined; hence, the environment dictates the neurotic and normal state of an individual.

II. Karen Horney challenged Freud’s conventional psychoanalysis by demonstrating that society and the social environment dominantly influences personality development of an individual. She disputed the concept that an individual development throughout life is only based on innate instincts. The ability of a person to develop throughout life is not consistent with the Freudian approach to neurosis.

III. According to Horney, the pathology and the norm are two clearly distinctive aspects, validating the hope for complete recovery even from a neurotic. She attributes this to the unconscious feeling of anxiety characterized by a feeling of radical anxiety, and not the instinct of aggression and libido as asserted by Freud (Funder, 2019). Horney asserted that if the world around a child is potentially hostile, they are likely to feel a sense of loneliness and helplessness. This anxiety is associated with excessive custody, alienation of parents, hostile atmosphere, and suppression of the child’s anxiety. This concept bore the two types of anxiety applicable in modern psychology, including psychological and physiological psychology.

b. Feminist Psychology

I. Horney is regarded as the female embodiment of Freud as a concept are built drawing from the principles the theory proposed by the father of psychoanalysis. This phenomenon is proportioned to the ‘female perspective.’ She noted that until recently, the consciousness of men and boys was the central object of psychoanalysis. She expanded her perspective to broader contexts, with a focus on female (Funder, 2019). She also sparked the social context of women development in psychoanalytic literature, emphasizing the underestimation of discrimination for this gender.

II. Not only Freud’s ideas faced criticism by Horney, but also Hellen Deutsch’s ideas. Honey did not back Deutsch’s concept that a woman’s masculinity complex was more predominant than the femininity complex in men. Probably, she disregarded is has higher chances for successful sublimation than a girl’s envy to the penis, a primary motivation for men to create cultural value (Jacobs, 2018). Horney commented that the Oedipus Complex is integral in the motivation to leave the role of a man. But these are later reinforced and supported by real discrimination of female in society, explaining the high prevalence of masculinity complex fronted by most psychoanalysts. Contrary to other psychoanalysts, she regarded motherhood as a consequence of the primarily instinct and desire to have a penis (Berger, 2018). Although this view was unexpectedly radical in psychoanalysis, it was largely backed in modern psychoanalysis (Jacobs, 2018).

III. The theories proposed by Horney greatly contributed to the advancement of the field of psychology. Her establishment of the neurotic and feminist psychology are a revolutionary to modern psychology. Although some may regard her ideas as outmoded, they are still applicable to the modern problems in society. Her theories are focused on human behavior and how it is influenced by the environment or surrounding culture, informing how to address the problem she studied (Smith, 2007). Her arguments are valid since not only biology creates problems in human behavior, but also society, and it helps to solve it.

Cultural Perspectives

a. Social Cultural Influences on Behavior

I. Horney’s theory is appropriate for a range of cultural perspectives in its contemporary use. Her work sheds light on the internal psychosexual conflicts and the unspeakable experiences of women in most cultures today. Her explorations give a more in-depth comprehension of the fundamental dynamic. Her writings sought to modify orthodox ideas regarding feminine psychology within the confines of the Freudian framework (Gordon, 2014). A compilation of her writings emphasized that society and culture promoted women dependence on men for wealth, love, wealth, a sense of fulfilment, and protection, which shapes the female psyche.

II. Horney’s arguments stressed that psychoanalysis advanced male bias and failed to correctly reflect the ideal nature of women. She also argued that women’s masculinity complex was profoundly different from how society manifests masculination (Gordon, 2014). This work in psychoanalysis denies the female sex the inherent inferiority and the casual association between the Castration Complex and the Penis envy, as not universal. She believed that the underlying drive was the fear of sexual experience associated with the phylogenic experiences of male aggression resulting from early familial emotional relationships. This lead to frigidity, neurosis, and pathogenesis. These factors are reliant on women resistance to the feminine role fortified by social factors (Gordon, 2014). In this regard, Horney’s theories are consistent with the modern social-cultural factors integral in establishing individual behavior. This theoretical perspective is applied in social psychology to understand ways societal pressures, cultural norms, and interpersonal relations on mental health and personality.

b. Cultural Competency in Therapy

Horney’s theoretical perspective is applied to implement culturally competent therapeutic practice. Therapists apply the concept that cultural and social context factors shape psychological processes, allowing effective collaboration with their clients. This perspective also informs their engagement with clients from diverse backgrounds.

c. Testable Predictions about Human Behavior across a Range of Cultural Perspectives

The theoretical perspective proposed by Horney make testable predictions regarding human behavior on underlying principles. The cultural views and values of different population groups influence human behavior. For instance, people with disability may face discrimination and isolation due to societal influences. Different cultures hold diverse views towards such individuals, which determines the receptiveness of society towards this group.

Strengths and Weaknesses

a. Strengths

I. Horney's theories bolster feminist therapy, which ultimately intends to empower women from each nook and corner of the world and recognize the psychological impacts of patriarchy and gender discrimination. The theorization helps feminist therapists validate women's experiences and voices in a manner that ultimately leads to gender equality in relevant mental health practices (Jaffe, 2012).

II. Horney’s theories indicate that socio-cultural factors play a massive role in determining individual behavior. This perspective is used in social psychology to learn the influence of cultural norms, societal pressures, and interpersonal relationships on personality and mental health.

b. Weaknesses

I. Personality aids in predicting an individual’s traits and behavior. Horney is one of the Neo-Freudian who created a personality theory as highlighted. She is a feminist and her gender, personal, and cultural experiences largely informed the creation of her theory. She deviates from Freud’s concept of sex as a determinant factor un personality. She argued that individuals are also motivated by the need for security love. This perspective may be limited as it is largely informed by her gender and cultural experiences as she grew up.

Alternative Personality Theories

a. Alfred Adler

I. This theorist is recognized as the founder of Individual Psychology and presumed that the source of impetus was the inherent feelings of inferiority and the need to strive for superiority. He believed that people are socially oriented and introduced the concept of an inferiority complex and lifestyle (Kelland, 2017). It is related to Horney’s perspective as Adler also thought that social factors could contribute to shaping personality rather than just being based on Freud's sexual drives. However, this perspective challenges the validity of Horney’s perspective of femininity arguing that the psychology of women is a cultural phenomenon. He also addressed the issues of a person’s unique perspective on the world. He proposed that individual enhancement and success are best attained in cooperation with others. In this process, culture is a vital aspect in establishing how that can be achieved.

b. Harry Stack Sullivan

II. This theorist worked on the Interpersonal Theory of Psychiatry, stating that personality is developed through interpersonal relationships. He specifically studied the dynamics of interpersonal interactions and their influence on systems of psychological development (Kelland, 2017). His view on basic anxiety and the significance of social and cultural factors are more inclined to striving for superiority, unlike the neurotic concept proposed by Horney. This idea challenges the validity of Horney’s idea of social influences in meeting the neurotic needs. Rather, interpersonal relationships and social interests drive health superiority, a fundamental aspect in Individual Psychology. For Sullivan, the interpersonal relationships dominate the social influences, as obvious consequence of social interest.

Defend 

I. The Neo-Freudian and Feminist Psychology proposed by Karen Horney remains relevant and influential in different fields of psychology today. She was more concerned on factors such as early relationships, cultural importance, and the development of the real self-continue to guide diverse psychological practices. These practices include, but not limited to educational organizational psychology clinical, feminist therapy, and additional strategies. By challenging the conventional psychoanalysis perspective, while brining human behavior to a more holistic comprehension, her work continues to shape modern psychology.

References

Funder, D. C. (2019). The Personality Puzzle. W. W. Norton & Company

Gordon, S. (2014, Sep 22). Karen Horneyês Perspective: The Emergence of Cultural Influences on the Female Psyche. https://www.saybrook.edu/2014/09/22/09-22-14/

Jacobs, J. (2018). Religion, Society, and Psychoanalysis: Readings in Contemporary Theory. Routledge.

Kelland, M. (2017, July 07). Personality Theory. OER Commons. https://oercommons.org/authoring/22859-personality-theory.

Aydın, S., Ceylan, H.H., & Aydin, E. (2014). A Research on Reference Behavior Trend According to Horney's Personality Types. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 148, 680-685. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.07.014

Smith, W. (2007). Karen Horney and Psychotherapy in the 21st Century. Clinical Social Work Journal, 35(1), 57-66. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10615-006-0060-6