fei75766_ch06_179-205.indd 192  02/06/20 11:32 AM
Part II    Psychodynamic Theories192
greater emphasis ontheinner conflicts thatbothnormal andneurotic individuals 
experience. Intrapsychic processes originate from interpersonal experiences; butas
theybecome partofaperson’s belief system, theydevelop alifeoftheirown—an exis-
tence separate from theinterpersonal conflicts thatgavethem life.
Thissection looks attwoimportant intrapsychic conflicts: the idealized self-
image andself-hatred. Briefly, theidealized self-image isanattempt tosolve conflicts 
bypainting agodlike picture ofoneself. Self-hatred isaninterrelated yetequally irra-
tional andpowerful tendency todespise one’s realself.Aspeople build anidealized 
image oftheirself,theirrealselflagsfarther andfarther behind. Thisgapcreates a
growing alienation between therealselfandtheidealized selfandleads neurotics to
hateanddespise theiractual selfbecause itfallssoshort inmatching theglorified 
self-image (Horney, 1950).
The Idealized Self-Image
Horney believed thathuman beings, ifgiven anenvironment ofdiscipline and
warmth, willdevelop feelings ofsecurity andself-confidence andatendency to
move toward self-realization. Unfortunately, early negative influences often impede 
people’s natural tendency toward self-realization, asituation thatleaves them with
feelings ofisolation andinferiority. Added tothisfailure isagrowing sense ofalien -
ation from themselves.
Feeling alienated from themselves, people need desperately toacquire astable 
sense of identity. Thisdilemma canbesolved onlybycreating anidealized self-image, 
anextravagantly positive viewofthemselves thatexists onlyintheirpersonal belief 
system. These people endow themselves withinfinite powers andunlimited capa-
bilities; theyseethemselves as“ahero, agenius, asupreme lover, asaint, agod”
(Horney, 1950, p.22).Theidealized self-image isnotaglobal construction. Neurotics 
glorify andworship themselves indifferent ways. Compliant people seethemselves as
good andsaintly; aggressive people build anidealized image ofthemselves asstrong, 
heroic, andomnipotent; anddetached neurotics paint theirself-portraits aswise, 
self-sufficient, andindependent.
Astheidealized self-image becomes solidified, neurotics begin tobelieve inthe
reality ofthatimage. They losetouch withtheirrealselfandusetheidealized self
asthestandard forself-evaluation. Rather thangrowing toward self-realization, they
move toward actualizing theiridealized self.
Horney (1950) recognized three aspects oftheidealized image: (1)theneu-
roticsearch forglory, (2)neurotic claims, and(3)neurotic pride.
The Neurotic Search for Glory
Asneurotics come tobelieve inthereality oftheiridealized self,theybegin toincorpo -
rateitintoallaspects oftheirlives—their goals, theirself-concept, andtheirrelations 
withothers. Horney (1950) referred tothiscomprehensive drive toward actualizing 
theideal selfastheneurotic search for glory.
Inaddition toself-idealization, theneurotic search forglory includes three other 
elements: theneed forperfection, neurotic ambition, andthedrive toward avindic -
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