fei75766_ch06_179-205.indd 198  02/06/20 11:32 AM
Part II    Psychodynamic Theories198
when shebroke withFreud toinsist thatcultural andsocial expectations account for
anyobserved personality distinctions between thegenders. Contemporary psycho -
logical science hasclearly supported herclaims.
Psychotherapy
Horney believed thatneuroses grow outofbasic conflict thatusually begins inchild -
hood. Aspeople attempt tosolve thisconflict, theyarelikely toadopt oneofthese  
three neurotic trends: moving toward, against, oraway from others. Each ofthese 
tactics canproduce temporary relief, buteventually theydrive theperson farther away 
from actualizing therealselfanddeeper intoaneurotic spiral (Horney, 1950).
Thegeneral goalofHorneyian therapy istohelppatients gradually grow inthe
direction ofself-realization. More specifically, theaimistohavepatients giveuptheir
idealized self-image, relinquish theirneurotic search forglory, andchange self-hatred 
toanacceptance oftherealself.Unfortunately, patients areusually convinced that
theirneurotic solutions arecorrect, sotheyarereluctant tosurrender theirneurotic 
trends. Even though patients haveastrong investment inmaintaining thestatus quo,
theydonotwishtoremain ill.They findlittlepleasure intheirsufferings andwould 
liketobefreeofthem. Unfortunately, theytendtoresist change andcling tothose 
behaviors thatperpetuate theirillness. Thethree neurotic trends canbecastinfavor -
ableterms suchas“love,” “mastery,” or“freedom.” Because patients usually seetheir
behaviors inthese positive terms, theiractions appear tothem tobehealthy, right, 
anddesirable (Horney, 1942, 1950).
Thetherapist’s taskistoconvince patients thattheirpresent solutions areper-
petuating rather thanalleviating thecoreneurosis, ataskthattakes much timeand
hardwork. Patients maylookforquick cures orsolutions, butonlythelong, laborious 
process ofself-understanding caneffect positive change. Self-understanding must go
beyond information; itmust beaccompanied byanemotional experience. Patients 
must understand theirpride system, theiridealized image, theirneurotic search for
glory, theirself-hatred, theirshoulds, theiralienation from self,andtheirconflicts. 
Moreover, theymust seehowallthese factors areinterrelated andoperate topreserve 
theirbasic neurosis.
Although atherapist canhelpencourage patients toward self-understanding, 
ultimately successful therapy isbuiltonself-analysis (Horney, 1942, 1950). Patients 
must understand thedifference between theiridealized self-image andtheirrealself.
Fortunately, people possess aninherent curative force thatallows them tomove 
inevitably inthedirection ofself-realization once self-understanding andself-analysis 
areachieved.
Astotechniques, Horneyian therapists usemany ofthesame onesemployed 
byFreudian therapists, especially dream interpretation andfreeassociation. Horney 
sawdreams asattempts tosolve conflicts, butthesolutions canbeeither neurotic or
healthy. When therapists provide acorrect interpretation, patients arehelped toward 
abetter understanding oftheirrealself.“From dreams ...thepatient cancatch a
glimpse, evenintheinitial phase ofanalysis, ofaworld operating within himwhich 
ispeculiarly hisownandwhich ismore trueofhisfeelings thantheworld ofhisillu-
sions” (Horney, 1950, p.349).Final PDF to printer