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Part II    Psychodynamic Theories184
forthedevelopment ofneuroses. Rather thanbenefiting from theneed forlove,neu-
rotics strive inpathological ways tofindit.Their self-defeating attempts result inlow
self-esteem, increased hostility, basic anxiety, more competitiveness, andacontinu -
ousexcessive need forloveandaffection.
According toHorney, Western society contributes tothisvicious circle insev-
eralrespects. First, people ofthissociety areimbued withthecultural teachings of
kinship andhumility. These teachings, however, runcontrary toanother prevailing 
attitude, namely, aggressiveness andthedrive towinorbesuperior. Second, society’s 
demands forsuccess andachievement arenearly endless, sothatevenwhen people 
achieve theirmaterial ambitions, additional goals arecontinually being placed before 
them. Third, Western society tellspeople thattheyarefree,thattheycanaccomplish 
anything through hardwork andperseverance. Inreality, however, thefreedom of
most people isgreatly restricted bygenetics, social position, andthecompetitiveness 
ofothers.
These contradictions—all stemming from cultural influences rather thanbio-
logical ones—provide intrapsychic conflicts thatthreaten thepsychological health of
normal people andprovide nearly insurmountable obstacles forneurotics.
The Importance of Childhood Experiences
Horney believed thatneurotic conflict canstem from almost anydevelopmental 
stage, butchildhood istheagefrom which thevastmajority ofproblems arise. A
variety oftraumatic events, suchassexual abuse, beatings, open rejection, orperva -
siveneglect, mayleave theirimpressions onachild’s future development; butHorney 
(1937) insisted thatthese debilitating experiences canalmost invariably betraced 
tolackofgenuine warmth andaffection. Horney’s ownlackoflovefrom herfather 
andherclose relationship withhermother must havehadapowerful effect onher
personal development aswellasonhertheoretical ideas.
Horney (1939) hypothesized thatadifficult childhood isprimarily responsi -
bleforneurotic needs. These needs become powerful because theyarethechild’s 
onlymeans ofgaining feelings ofsafety. Nevertheless, nosingle early experience is
responsible forlaterpersonality. Horney cautioned that“thesumtotalofchildhood 
experiences brings about acertain character structure, orrather, starts itsdevelop -
ment” (p.152). Inother words, thetotality ofearly relationships molds personality 
development. “Later attitudes toothers, then, arenotrepetitions ofinfantile onesbut
emanate from thecharacter structure, thebasis ofwhich islaidinchildhood” (p.87).
Although laterexperiences canhaveanimportant effect, especially innormal 
individuals, childhood experiences areprimarily responsible forpersonality develop -
ment. People whorigidly repeat patterns ofbehavior dosobecause theyinterpret new
experiences inamanner consistent withthose established patterns.
Basic Hostility and Basic Anxiety
Horney (1950) believed thateachperson begins lifewiththepotential forhealthy 
development, butlikeother living organisms, people need favorable conditions for
growth. These conditions must include awarm andloving environment yetonethat
isnotoverly permissive. Children need toexperience bothgenuine loveandhealthy Final PDF to printer