Freud and Horney do not have many similar views, but, instead,
more contrasting views. Freud approaches a more biological standpoint, instead
focusing on the sexual process and its effect on individuals, while Horney
rejects this notion and believes that a person's character is the result of that
individual responding to real-life situations. In general, Horney does not agree
with the biological standpoint and focuses on a more realistic viewpoint,
insisting that human development is a direct result of the events that happen in
one's life, as well as how one responds to these events, whether they be good or
bad.
Karen Horney had many popular
theories of neurosis, which is what she is generally acclaimed for. She thought
that basic anxiety from interpersonal relationships was the main cause of
neurosis; her theory, itself, suggested that typical strategies that are used to
help people deal with anxiety may be overused, which, as a result, causes them
to take the form of needs. These needs may either move one towards others,
away from others, or against others. As these are somewhat of polar
extremes, they can be associated with emotions such as affirmation and
acceptance, hostility and apathy, and anger and indifference. The easiest way in
fulfilling these "neurotic trends" is up to the individual, as he
or she may find one more filling than the other. Though some may seem
generally worse or better than others, utilizing all methods of these needs
seems to be the best approach in satisfying them after all.
Like everything, psychoanalytic theories, too, have
their criticisms. For instance, many of the ideas and concepts presented by
psychoanalytic thoughts and theories are merely abstract: they cannot be
concretely measured, proven, or ascertained in any manner. In addition to this,
little scientific research and data were collected in these studies, as they
were based on mostly case studies and just observations as opposed to the
scientific methods and studies found in other theories.
more contrasting views. Freud approaches a more biological standpoint, instead
focusing on the sexual process and its effect on individuals, while Horney
rejects this notion and believes that a person's character is the result of that
individual responding to real-life situations. In general, Horney does not agree
with the biological standpoint and focuses on a more realistic viewpoint,
insisting that human development is a direct result of the events that happen in
one's life, as well as how one responds to these events, whether they be good or
bad.
Karen Horney had many popular
theories of neurosis, which is what she is generally acclaimed for. She thought
that basic anxiety from interpersonal relationships was the main cause of
neurosis; her theory, itself, suggested that typical strategies that are used to
help people deal with anxiety may be overused, which, as a result, causes them
to take the form of needs. These needs may either move one towards others,
away from others, or against others. As these are somewhat of polar
extremes, they can be associated with emotions such as affirmation and
acceptance, hostility and apathy, and anger and indifference. The easiest way in
fulfilling these "neurotic trends" is up to the individual, as he
or she may find one more filling than the other. Though some may seem
generally worse or better than others, utilizing all methods of these needs
seems to be the best approach in satisfying them after all.
Like everything, psychoanalytic theories, too, have
their criticisms. For instance, many of the ideas and concepts presented by
psychoanalytic thoughts and theories are merely abstract: they cannot be
concretely measured, proven, or ascertained in any manner. In addition to this,
little scientific research and data were collected in these studies, as they
were based on mostly case studies and just observations as opposed to the
scientific methods and studies found in other theories.