There were many rumors of an affair with Fromm during the period she was developing her theories on neurosis. "Horney is best known for her theory of neurosis, which she saw as much more continuous with normal life than previous theorists. Specifically, she saw neurosis as an attempt to make life bearable, as a way of "interpersonal control and coping." It might be argued that this is what we all try to do on a continuous basis, though only some of us are successful, whereas the neurotic are not." (Quinn, 2005)
She created the patterns of Neurotic Needs becauee she had a "... another way of looking at neurosis -- in terms of self-image. For Horney, the self is the core of your being, your potential. If you were healthy, you would have an accurate conception of who you are, and you would then be free to realize that potential (self-realization)." (Quinn, 2005) These entailed:
The neurotic need for affection and approval, the indiscriminate need to please others and be liked by them the neurotic need for a partner, for someone who will take over one's life. This includes the idea that love will solve all of one's problems. Again, we all would like a partner to share life with, but the neurotic goes a step or two too far
The neurotic need to restrict one's life to narrow borders, to be undemanding, satisfied with little, to be inconspicuous. Even this has its normal counterpart. Who hasn't felt the need to simplify life when it gets too stressful, to join a monastic order, disappear into routine, or to return to the womb?
The neurotic need for power, for control over others, for a facade of omnipotence. We all seek strength, but the neurotic may be desperate for it. This is dominance for its own sake, often accompanied by a contempt for the weak and a strong belief in one's own rational powers
The neurotic need to exploit others and get the better of them. In the ordinary person, this might be the need to have an effect, to have impact, to be heard. In the neurotic, it can become manipulation and the belief that people are there to be used. It may also involve a fear of being used, of looking stupid. You may have noticed that the people who love practical jokes more often than not cannot take being the butt of such a joke themselves
The neurotic need for social recognition or prestige. We are social creatures, and sexual ones, and like to be appreciated. But these people are overwhelmingly concerned with appearances and popularity. They fear being ignored, be thought plain, "uncool," or "out...
We need to be admired for inner qualities as well as outer ones. We need to feel important and valued. But some people are more desperate, and need to remind everyone of their importance -- "Nobody recognizes genius," "I'm the real power behind the scenes, you know," and so on. Their fear is of being thought nobodies, unimportant and meaningless.
The neurotic need for personal achievement. Again, there is nothing intrinsically wrong with achievement -- far from it! But some people are obsessed with it. They have to be number one at everything they do. Since this is, of course, quite a difficult task, you will find these people devaluing anything they cannot be number one in! If they are good runners, then the discus and the hammer are "side shows." If academic abilities are their strength, physical abilities are of no importance, and so on.
The neurotic need for self-sufficiency and independence. We should all cultivate some autonomy, but some people feel that they shouldn't ever need anybody. They tend to refuse help and are often reluctant to commit to a relationship.
The neurotic need for perfection and unassailability. To become better and better at life and our special interests is hardly neurotic, but some people are driven to be perfect and scared of being flawed. They can't be caught making a mistake and need to be in control at all times.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this paper aimed to discuss the life and times of three prominent Psychologists who have influenced me. The three include: Dorothea Dix, Karen Horney, and Carl Rogers. The paper aimed to present insights into their lives including how they overcame adversity and challenges and inherently applied those life experiences into the realm of their work.
References
Bumb, Jenn. (n.d.). Dorothea Dix. Retrieved on May 6, 2005, at http://www.webster.edu/~woolflm/dorotheadix.html
DITTMANN, M. (2002). 99 of the 100 most eminent psycholgists of the 20th century. Review of General Psychology, Vol. 6, No. 2,. Retrieved May 6, 2005, from MOnitor on Pschology Web Site: http://www.apa.org/monitor/julaug02/studyranks.html
Hall, Kathy Jo. (1997 May). Carl Rogers. Retrieved on May 6, 2005, at http://www.muskingum.edu/~psych/psycweb/history/rogers.htm
Quinn, Susan. (n.d.). A Mind of Her Own: Karen Horney Lecture Notes. Retrieved on May 6, 2005, at http://www.sonoma.edu/users/d/daniels/Horneylect.html
Psychology
