...Karen Horney-Pioneer in Woman Psychology Latascha Purdie PSY 310 June 4, 2012 Professor Meadowlark Karen Horney-Pioneer in Woman Psychology Men dominated the world of psychology but in 1885 a woman was born that was going to challenge his or her theories. Karen Horney was considered a pioneer theorist in personality, psychoanalysis and “feminine psychology.” Her life and works contributed to the change in how female psychology was looked at and studied. From birth to death Karen Horney was born September 16, 1885 in Blankenese, Germany that is near Hamburg, to a family of seven. Her mother Clothilde Marie was the second wife of widower Berndt Danielsen, and he was in his 40s when Horney was born (Hitchcock, 2005). She had little interaction with him because he was always away at work and during the times he was home, his four older children required most of his attention. She was very close to her mother and younger brother, so to her that was her family. In those times girls went to school up until 8th grade and after that they were groomed to be wife’s and mothers. This was not what Horney wanted to do and her opportunity came because in 1894 the first Gymnasium (our equivalent of high school) for girls opened in Baden, Germany, and finally in 1900 they started to offer classes for girls in the Gymnasium in Hamburg (Hitchcock, 2005). Horney was determined to join because the plans she had laid out for herself was to one-day attend a university. Both of her parents...
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...NOTE: This paper is for you to get an idea from and not to copy. Please site your source and DO NOT plagerize. I received a 100% on this paper Women in Psychology- Karen Horney Student Name PSY 310 (Instructor) Cheri Meadowlark February 25, 2013 Women in Psychology: Karen Horney Karen Horney was a female psychological pioneer. She was a theorist in personality, psychoanalysis, along with feminine psychology. Karen Horney also had some theories about ones needs. Background Clotilde “Sonni” and Berndt Danielsen welcomed their second child Karen Clementina Theodora Danielsen on September 16, 1885. Karen was born in Blankenese, a small village on the north bank of Elbe, Germany. Karen’s parents had Dutch-Norwegian origins and upheld the values and principles of a European family in Victorian times (Rubins, 1978). Berndt was the captain of a ship. He did not only deliver his commands on the ocean, but he also delivered them at him. Berndt had four boys form a previous marriage, and two children with Karen’s mother; Karen was the youngest of her brothers and the only daughter. In the 1800’s a women was expected to marry if she was not going to live her life as a caretaker for her own mother or as nun. Clotide, was referred to as Sonni by Berndt and her children because she was such a freethinker. Karen’s father was harshly religious and she was only allowed to read the bible after she learned how to read. Berndt applied the values of his religious...
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...Danielson, a ship’s captain, became the proud parents of the one and only Karen Horney, a pioneer in the field of psychoanalysis (Boeree, 1997). She along with her brother, also named Berndt, and five step-siblings described their father as an authoritarian who ruled with an iron fist and held a strong religious code of ethics; so much so that he was given the nickname of the “the Bible thrower” (Boeree, 1997). Her mother Clotilde, (also known as Sonni) on the other hand, was the complete opposite of her father and was 19 years his junior. Her childhood was one of contradicting perceptions. Horney portrayed her father as a harsh man who favored her brother Berndt more than he did Karen. This representation of her father, however, is negated by the fact that her father would continuously bring her back small trinkets from his excursions around the world (Boeree, 1997). Not only that, but he also allowed her to accompany him on several of his voyages, which considering the time in which they lived in, when women were still inferior to men, was quite odd. Whether this perception of her father is correct or incorrect, ultimately Karen’s viewpoint would end up having the bigger impact, leading her to the very deep-seated relationship she held with her mother; a closeness that resulted in her nickname as her mother’s “little lamb” (Boeree, 1997). Horney spent her childhood reading the multiple volumes of the German author karl...
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...by covering their basic assumptions, comparing the behavior in regards to all the free will, that’s finally going over to the unconscious versus all the conscious motives for a person’s behaviors. Psychoanalytic Social Theory Assumptions The creator or the originator of the psychoanalytic social theory was Karen Horney. The most basic assumption underlying the theory is the social and the cultural experiences; special experiences in childhood, these are primarily responsible for the shaping an individual’s Character (Feist & Feist, 2009). Horney was unlike other theorists didn’t rule out biological factors as influencing a person’s personality development. She also didn’t limit childhood experiences that happened to be traumatic in the terms of stages of development. Horney was similar to Freud as she believed that people were driven by a force in life; while Freud believed it was a drive for pleasure, Horney believed that it was more of a drive for safety (Smith, 2007). According to Horney’s beliefs one of the basic underlying assumptions that she had was that children need to feel that they are receiving adequate attention as well as love. Horney believed that if the child did not feel these needs were met then this would manifest later in life as the...
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...Freud and Horney Dan Mathis PSY/405 December 4, 2013 Dr. Maley Freud and Horney Psychology currently exists according to theory. From theory practice develops, and with studies theory becomes accepted. Sigmund Freud, though seemingly less relevant created theory that lead the field of psychology. The psychoanalysis, though often disregarded for the language involved helped to develop many theories following is its footsteps. Certainly Karen Horney appeared to develop some of her own work based on Freud’s psychoanalysis. Both Freud’s and Horney’s theory examined the limitations, strengths, and independence of an individual. The determination of free will versus deterministic viewpoints only becomes mired in the determination of the subconscious. The similarities of the two theories do not make either less viable as they focus on separate ideas. Psychoanalysis The Psychoanalysis theory developed by Freud remains one of the most famous theories of personality. The unconscious mind drove Freud’s theory for the entirety of his career. The development of understanding that an individual’s actions do not exist solely in the conscious mind. Freud developed some terminology to explain these ideas: the Id and the superego derive a juxtaposition surrounding the ego. Imagining a devil and an angel on the shoulders of a person creates a reasonable facsimile of the theory. Understanding that the id and superego prevail in the unconscious mind requires self-awareness. Awareness...
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...examined. The purpose of this paper is to discuss two theories of personality, the psychoanalytic theory and the interpersonal theory. This paper will focus on a comparison of the two theories, the basic assumption of each, deterministic versus free will and the conscious motives versus the unconscious motives in a person’s behavior. The creator of the Psychoanalytic Social theory was Karen Horney. Horney’s psychoanalytic social theory devoted the same emphasis on society, just like Adler and Erikson. She developed her theory based on the assumptions that society and culture are major contributors to one’s personality development. One assumption in her theory is that a person’s social and the cultural experiences are primarily responsible for the shaping of an individual’s character. (Feist, & Feist, 2009). Other assumptions that Horney had was the importance of a child being raised in a stable loving environment. Horney believed that if a child’s parents did not provide a loving, stable environment, he or she could develop basic hostility, which could lead to basic anxiety. Horney also believed that because of hostility or anxiety a child would try to resolve conflict in three different ways. The child would gravitate to people, move against people, or he or she would alienate themselves. But, if a child has a healthy personality then he or she can use any of the three. However, if the person is neurotic then he or she cannot use all of them. Because Horney’s theory...
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...against the riddle of the nature of femininity…to those of you who are women this will not apply to you-you are yourselves the problem.” Sigmund Freud “There is no such thing as an isolated repetition of isolated experiences; but the entirety of infantile experiences combines to form a certain character structure.” Karen Horney When looking at all of the contrasting views of women, perhaps the two individuals who differ the most are those of Sigmund Freud and Karen Horney. Freud takes a biological view when analyzing women. In addition, Freud puts great emphasis on sexual processes and how they affect the development of individuals. Horney on the other hand disagrees and “rejects Freud’s insistence on the centrality of the sexual drive in determining human personality” (Horney 245). Horney posits that a person’s character is the result of the individual responding to situations that occur in life (Horney 245). Human development takes place because of the events that occur in an individual’s life and how they respond to those events, whether the events are negative or positive. In this paper, I will contrast Freud and Horney’s views of women and state why Horney gives a relevant and well-founded critique of Freud. According to Freud, the first thing that a woman does when she meets another human being is to designate that person’s sex; this observation is made by a woman before any other characteristics are acknowledged. Freud believed that men and women are the same only when it...
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...Introduction The most popular psychodynamic personality theories that have been developed that have strengths and limitations in explaining personality. The research and supporting evidence in these theories are more reliable than others. Each theory is unique and differs from each other that can explain the casualties of personality and the distinct characteristics that are elusive to them. Many psychodynamic theorists have theorized the origins and contributions that cultivate personality (Feist & Feist, 2009). In the contents of this paper will analyze and compare the assumptions and theories of Adler, Individual Psychology and Karen Horney, Psychoanalytic Social Theory and the debate on deterministic versus free will. Alfred Adler – Individual Psychology Assumptions At one time Alfred Adler was in Sigmund Freud’s inner circle but eventually broke away and developed his own school of thought which he labeled “Individual Psychology”. Adler was in disagreement with Freud over the importance of sexuality in personality development (Ciccarelli & Meyer, 2006). Adler’s development of the theory that as young, helpless children, people all develop feelings of inferiority when comparing themselves to the more powerful, superior adults in the world (Ciccarelli & Meyer, 2006). However, Adler also states that a person’s personality and behavior represents how he or she perceives the physical world. Adler had the belief that a person’s personality is a whole unit and behavior...
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...unrequited love, or that which is unattainable, as a form of marriage avoidance, which, in typical Freudian thinking, may be masking a problem much deeper. Adler's theories, which, while probably more inciting to popular audiences, as their relevance and applicability are quite clear, seem only to focus on a minor part of the collective personality, as termed by Jung, and stem from the all-encompassing pieces of one's personality as described by Freud. So, while Adler's theories are of some importance to the study of personality, I find the latter two psychologists points to be effective. Karen Horney, deemed the feminist psychoanalyst by Funder and Ozer, offer a somewhat different perspective in "The Distrust Between the Sexes", as she explains that, although men and women may not get along because of their envy of each other, this is actually a positive thing. Horney describes the male need for social dominance and power as a direct result of "womb envy", which men experience due to their minor contribution to the formation of life. That...
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...development of his/her personality. How does one explain where a personality comes from? Several theorist have given their answer to this question based on their own life experience. In this paper I will review and compare two personality theories. I will review the strengths and weaknesses each one presents from my own perspective. I will also see how they relate to the conscious and unconscious mind. Psychoanalytic Social Theory Karen Horney made assumptions and based on her assumptions Psychoanalytic theory was born. This theory was based on childhood experiences, social and cultural conditions causing the personality to get its form. Basically, if one does not have all the needs met in childhood such as love, acceptance then the person forms hostility toward their parents. This also led to basic anxiety. Horney theorized that people combat basic anxiety by adopting one of three fundamental styles of relating to others: (1) moving toward people, (2) moving against people, or (3) moving away from people (Feist &Feist, 2009). Karen Horney used her life as a guide for her theory ad she is well known for her work with Neurotic personality. People can protect themselves from basic anxiety through a number of protective devices, including (1) affection, (2) submissiveness, (3) power, prestige, or possession, and (4) withdrawal. Normal people have the flexibility to use any or all of these approaches, but neurotics are compelled to rely rigidly on only one. Horney’s theory...
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...(Compliant personality, move towards others) Karen Horney – she discusses 3 different kinds of needs – and kinds of personalities: compliant, aggressive, detached – these needs were used to measure personality. a. If compliant, move towards others – need to be loved, appreciated b. If aggressive, move against others – need to excel, be on top c. If detached, move away from others – self-sufficient, independent. The Compliant Personality The compliant personality displays attitudes and behaviors that reflect a desire to move toward other people: an intense and continuous need for affection and approvals, an urge to be loved, wanted, and protected. Compliant personalities display these needs toward everyone, although they usually have a need for one dominant person, such as a friend or spouse, who will take charge of their lives and offer protection and guidance. For example: Facebook, Twitter, Google+ which help to draw attention of people who may not be seeing it regularly and it also promoted posts will give best results for forthcoming events and special promos. (Aggressive personality, move against from others) The Aggressive Personality Aggressive personalities move against other people. In their world, everyone is hostile; only the fittest and most cunning survive. Life is a jungle in which supremacy, strength, and ferocity are the paramount virtues. Although their motivation is the same as that of the compliant type, to alleviate...
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...Horney and Freud Differences Horney is known for her contribution to feminine psychology. Horney stated mild anxiety disorders are created through factors that involve culture and how an individual was raised as a child (nurture). Those thoughts created a paradigm shift from the teaching and views of Sigmund Freud, who states that neuroses is created through universal instictstual factors and the lack of sex (nature). Freud stated that women possess insecurities of being female and would rather be a male because of the difference of the anatomy. Horney believed the opposite to Freud. She believed men possessed jealous of the female anatomy and intrinsically women are smarter than men. Horney did agree with Freud regarding females envy of males, although, it was not because of the male anatomy but through the hieararical status men had within society. Horney believed neuroses were created through functional and dis-functional interpersonal relationships, something she had experienced in her personal life. Horney believed the defense mechanism use to counter the neuroses were continually use thus creating a habit or a need to use the defense mechanism without the need to employ them. Individual would use the defense mechanism prematurally in order not to experience the neuroses that occur in certain situations. Freud believed inate behavior and the lack of sex created anxiety; therefore, indiviual’s would utilize defense mechanism to compensate. However, according to...
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...Jolene Patch PSY 134 April 15, 2013 C. Nelson Most dreams contain messages that serve to teach us something about ourselves. Unfortunately, many a times we forget what we dream about. We go about our daily lives and routines without thinking about a dream we may have had that night. With recurring dreams, the message may be so important and /or powerful that it just will not go away. The frequent repetition of such dreams forces you to pay attention and confront the dream. The dream is trying to tell you something. Such dreams are often nightmarish or frightening in their content, which also helps you to take note and pay attention to them. Recurring dreams are quite common and are often triggered by a certain life experience or situation or a problem that keeps coming back again and again. These dreams may recur daily, once a week, or once a month, but whatever the frequency, there is little variation to the dream. It usually points to a personal weakness, fear, or your inability to cope with something in your life – past or present. The repetitive patterns in your dreams can reveal some of the most valuable information on yourself. It may point to a conflict, situation or matter at work or at home, a situation in your waking life that remains unresolved or unsettled. Some urgent underlying message in your unconscious is demanding to be understood. Dreams are strongly associated with sleep. They may occur in all stages of sleep including the REM sleep and...
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...Kofman comments on Freud’s prediction that feminists would take to the warpath against his writings on the women arguing that Freud’s theories are “rife” with masculine prejudice (11). Other credible books, such as Samuel Slipp’s The Freudian Mystique raise important questions on Freud’s theories of feminism. Why did Freud make such grossly biased and incorrect statements about women, while in other areas he was a very perceptive and accurate observer? Slipp argues that it was Freud’s genius and his monumental discoveries in other areas of mental functioning that lent credibility to his theories on women (12). Some of the earliest disagreements about Freud’s feminine psychology had been voiced by the German female psychoanalyst Karen Horney. Horney composed a series of essays between 1922 and 1935 arguing against...
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...Psychology Cherish Maddox Everest College I have studied many different theories in this course, but the theory that I am choosing to write about is Karen Horney’s Social Development Theory. I chose this theory because I related to it, and I surprisingly learned something about myself from it. I believe that she has a strong solid theory that a lot of people could relate to and learn from. In my research I learned a lot about why I am the way I am towards people. I also learned that her theory is regarded as one of the best in that field of research. The beginning of learning of Social Development is what I am writing about. Karen’s theory of social development is one that I have most closely related to throughout the course of the class. When reading about her theory in our textbook, Psychology: Concepts and Applications, I realized that what she had come to believe and tell others about applied directly to me. I understood exactly when I started reading what she defined as basic anxiety. This basic anxiety is associated with being isolated and helpless in a possibly intimidating world. It is something that I felt all the time as a child. In her theory, she says that a parent-child relationship is extremely important in a child’s life and in their personal development. Her theory shows, in my opinion, that there can be a vicious cycle if not caught and fixed. When parents are the cause of basic anxiety for their children, this can cause them to create a deep form...
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