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Chapter 6    Horney: Psychoanalytic Social Theory183
Introduction to Psychoanalytic  
Social Theory
Theearly writings ofKaren Horney, likethose ofAdler, Jung, andKlein, haveadis-
tinctive Freudian flavor. LikeAdler andJung, sheeventually became disenchanted 
withorthodox psychoanalysis andconstructed arevisionist theory thatreflected her
ownpersonal experiences—clinical andotherwise.
Although Horney wrote nearly exclusively about neuroses andneurotic per-
sonalities, herworks suggest much thatisappropriate tonormal, healthy develop -
ment. Culture, especially early childhood experiences, plays aleading roleinshaping 
human personality, either neurotic orhealthy. Horney, then, agreed withFreud that
early childhood traumas areimportant, butshediffered from himinherinsistence 
thatsocial rather thanbiological forces areparamount inpersonality development.
Horney and Freud Compared
Horney criticized Freud’s theories onseveral accounts. First, shecautioned thatstrict 
adherence toorthodox psychoanalysis would leadtostagnation inboththeoretical 
thought andtherapeutic practice (Horney, 1937). Second, Horney (1937, 1939) 
objected toFreud’s ideas onfeminine psychology, asubject wereturn tolater. Third, 
shestressed theviewthatpsychoanalysis should move beyond instinct theory and
emphasize theimportance ofcultural influences inshaping personality. “Man isruled 
notbythepleasure principle alone butbytwoguiding principles: safety andsatisfac -
tion” (Horney, 1939, p.73).Similarly, sheclaimed thatneuroses arenottheresult of
instincts butrather oftheperson’s “attempt tofindpaths through awilderness fullof
unknown dangers” (p.10).Thiswilderness iscreated bysociety andnotbyinstincts 
oranatomy.
Despite becoming increasingly critical ofFreud, Horney continued torecog -
nizehisperceptive insights. Hermain quarrel withFreud wasnotsomuch theaccu-
racyofhisobservations butthevalidity ofhisinterpretations. Ingeneral terms, she
heldthatFreud’s explanations result inapessimistic concept ofhumanity based on
innate instincts andthestagnation ofpersonality. Incontrast, herviewofhumanity 
isanoptimistic oneandiscentered oncultural forces thatareamenable tochange 
(Horney, 1950).
The Impact of Culture
Although Horney didnotoverlook theimportance ofgenetic factors, sherepeatedly 
emphasized cultural influences astheprimary bases forbothneurotic andnormal 
personality development. Modern culture, shecontended, isbased oncompetition 
among individuals. “Everyone isarealorpotential competitor ofeveryone else” 
(Horney, 1937, p.284). Competitiveness andthebasic hostility itspawns result in
feelings ofisolation .These feelings ofbeing alone inapotentially hostile world lead
tointensified needs for affection, which, inturn, cause people toovervalue love.As
aresult, many people seeloveandaffection asthesolution foralltheirproblems. 
Genuine love,ofcourse, canbeahealthy, growth-producing experience; butthedes-
perate need forlove(such asthatshown byHorney herself) provides afertile ground Final PDF to printer