fei75766_ch06_179-205.indd 189  02/06/20 11:32 AM
Chapter 6    Horney: Psychoanalytic Social Theory189
some children toactcompulsively, thereby limiting theirrepertoire toasingle neu-
rotictrend. Experiencing basically contradictory attitudes toward others, these chil-
drenattempt tosolve thisbasic conflict bymaking oneofthethree neurotic trends 
consistently dominant. Some children move toward people bybehaving inacompliant 
manner asaprotection against feelings ofhelplessness; other children move against 
people withactsofaggression inorder tocircumvent thehostility ofothers; andstill
other children move away from people byadopting adetached manner, thusalleviat -
ingfeelings ofisolation (Horney, 1945).
Moving Toward People
Horney’s concept ofmoving toward people doesnotmean moving toward them inthe
spirit ofgenuine love.Rather, itrefers toaneurotic need toprotect oneself against 
feelings ofhelplessness.
Intheirattempts toprotect themselves against feelings ofhelplessness, compli -
antpeople employ either orbothofthefirsttwoneurotic needs; thatis,theydesper -
atelystrive foraffection andapproval ofothers, ortheyseekapowerful partner who
willtakeresponsibility fortheirlives. Horney (1937) referred tothese needs as“mor -
biddependency,” aconcept thatanticipated theterm“codependency.”
Theneurotic trend ofmoving toward people involves acomplex ofstrategies. Itis
“awhole wayofthinking, feeling, acting—a whole wayoflife”(Horney, 1945, p.55).
Horney alsocalled itaphilosophy oflife.Neurotics whoadopt thisphilosophy arelikely 
toseethemselves asloving, generous, unselfish, humble, andsensitive toother people’s 
feelings. They arewilling tosubordinate themselves toothers, toseeothers asmore 
intelligent orattractive, andtoratethemselves according towhatothers think ofthem.
Moving Against People
Justascompliant people assume thateveryone isnice, aggressive people takefor
granted thateveryone ishostile .Asaresult, theyadopt thestrategy ofmoving against 
people. Neurotically aggressive people arejustascompulsive ascompliant people are,
andtheirbehavior isjustasmuch prompted bybasic anxiety. Rather thanmoving 
toward people inaposture ofsubmissiveness anddependence, these people move 
against others byappearing tough orruthless. They aremotivated byastrong need 
toexploit others andtousethem fortheirownbenefit. They seldom admit theirmis-
takes andarecompulsively driven toappear perfect, powerful, andsuperior.
Fiveofthetenneurotic needs areincorporated intheneurotic trend ofmoving 
against people. They include theneed tobepowerful, toexploit others, toreceive 
recognition andprestige, tobeadmired, andtoachieve. Aggressive people playtowin
rather thanfortheenjoyment ofthecontest. They mayappear tobehardworking 
andresourceful onthejob,buttheytakelittlepleasure inthework itself. Their basic 
motivation isforpower, prestige, andpersonal ambition.
IntheUnited States, thestriving forthese goals isusually viewed withadmira -
tion.Compulsively aggressive people, infact,frequently come outontopinmany 
endeavors valued byAmerican society. They mayacquire desirable sexpartners, high-
paying jobs,andthepersonal admiration ofmany people. Horney (1945) saidthatit
isnottothecredit ofAmerican society thatsuchcharacteristics arerewarded while 
love,affection, andthecapacity fortruefriendship—the veryqualities thataggressive 
people lack—are valued lesshighly.Final PDF to printer