fei75766_ch06_179-205.indd 203  02/06/20 11:32 AM
Chapter 6    Horney: Psychoanalytic Social Theory203
formulations areprecise, consistent, andunambiguous. However, when allherworks 
areexamined, adifferent picture emerges. Through theyears, sheusedterms suchas
“neurotic needs” and“neurotic trends” sometimes separately andsometimes inter-
changeably. Also, theterms “basic anxiety” and“basic conflict” werenotalways 
clearly differentiated. These inconsistencies render herentire work somewhat incon -
sistent, butagain, herfinaltheory (1950) isamodel oflucidity andconsistency.
Another criterion ofauseful theory isparsimony, andHorney’s finaltheory, 
asexpressed inthelastchapter ofNeurosis and Human Growth (Horney, 1950, 
Chap. 15),would receive ahighmark onthisstandard. Thischapter, which provides 
auseful andconcise introduction toHorney’s theory ofneurotic development, isrela-
tively simple, straightforward, andclearly written.
 Concept of Humanity
Horney’s concept of humanity was based almost entirely on her clinical expe -
riences with neurotic patients; therefore, her view of human personality is 
strongly colored by her concept of neurosis. According to Horney, the prime 
difference between a healthy person and a neurotic individual is the degree 
of compulsivity with which each moves toward, against, or away from people.
The compulsive nature of neurotic trends suggests that Horney’s con -
cept of humanity is deterministic. However, a healthy person would have a 
large element of free choice. Even a neurotic individual, through psychother -
apy and hard work, can wrest some control over those intrapsychic conflicts. 
For this reason, Horney’s psychoanalytic social theory is rated slightly higher 
on free choice  than on determinism.
On the same basis, Horney’s theory is somewhat more optimistic  than 
pessimistic. Horney believed that people possess inherent curative powers 
that lead them toward self-realization. If basic anxiety (the feeling of being 
alone and helpless in a potentially hostile world) can be avoided, people will 
feel safe and secure in their interpersonal relations and consequently will 
develop healthy personalities.
Myownbelief isthatmanhasthecapacity aswellasthedesire todevelop his
potentialities andbecome adecent human being, andthatthese deteriorate ifhis
relationship toothers andhence tohimself is,andcontinues tobe,disturbed. 
Ibelieve thatmancanchange andgoonchanging aslongashelives. 
(Horney, 1945, p.19)
On the dimension of causality versus teleology,  Horney adopted a mid -
dle position. She stated that the natural goal for people is self-realization, but 
she also believed that childhood experiences can block that movement. “The 
past in some way or other is always contained in the present” (Horney, 1939, 
p. 153). Included in people’s past experiences, however, is the formation of 
a philosophy of life and a set of values that give both their present and their 
future some direction.Final PDF to printer