fei75766_ch06_179-205.indd 187  02/06/20 11:32 AM
Chapter 6    Horney: Psychoanalytic Social Theory187
 1.The neurotic need for affection and approval. Intheirquest foraffection and
approval, neurotics attempt indiscriminately toplease others. They trytolive
uptotheexpectations ofothers, tendtodread self-assertion, andarequite 
uncomfortable withthehostility ofothers aswellasthehostile feelings within 
themselves.
 2.The neurotic need for a powerful partner. Lacking self-confidence, neurotics 
trytoattach themselves toapowerful partner. Thisneed includes an
overvaluation ofloveandadread ofbeing alone ordeserted. Horney’s own
lifestory reveals astrong need torelate toagreat man, andshehadaseries of
suchrelationships during heradult life.
 3.The neurotic need to restrict one’s life within narrow borders. Neurotics 
frequently strive toremain inconspicuous, totakesecond place, andtobe
content withverylittle. They downgrade theirownabilities anddread making 
demands onothers.
 4.The neurotic need for power. Power andaffection areperhaps thetwogreatest 
neurotic needs. Theneed forpower isusually combined withtheneeds for
prestige andpossession andmanifests itself astheneed tocontrol others and
toavoid feelings ofweakness orstupidity.
 5.The neurotic need to exploit others. Neurotics frequently evaluate others on
thebasis ofhowtheycanbeusedorexploited, butatthesame time, theyfear
being exploited byothers.
 6.The neurotic need for social recognition or prestige. Some people combat 
basic anxiety bytrying tobefirst,tobeimportant, ortoattract attention to
themselves.
 7.The neurotic need for personal admiration. Neurotics haveaneedtobeadmired 
forwhattheyarerather thanforwhattheypossess. Their inflated self-esteem 
must becontinually fedbytheadmiration andapproval ofothers.
 8.The neurotic need for ambition and personal achievement. Neurotics often have
astrong drive tobethebest—the bestsalesperson, thebestbowler, thebest
lover. They must defeat other people inorder toconfirm theirsuperiority.
 9.The neurotic need for self-sufficiency and independence. Many neurotics have
astrong need tomove away from people, thereby proving thattheycanget
along without others. Theplayboy whocannot betieddown byanywoman 
exemplifies thisneurotic need.
10.The neurotic need for perfection and unassailability. Bystriving relentlessly 
forperfection, neurotics receive “proof” oftheirself-esteem andpersonal 
superiority. They dread making mistakes andhaving personal flaws, andthey
desperately attempt tohidetheirweaknesses from others.
Neurotic Trends
Ashertheory evolved, Horney began toseethatthelistof10neurotic needs could 
begrouped intothree general categories, eachrelating toaperson’s basic attitude 
toward selfandothers. In1945, sheidentified thethree basic attitudes, orneurotic 
trends, as(1)moving toward people, (2)moving against people, and(3)moving away 
from people.Final PDF to printer