Karen Horney

Paper Summary:

The paper explores Karen Horney's theories of personality, neurosis and sexuality and explains her emphasis on social, cultural and interpersonal dimensions of personality development and neuroses. The paper highlights the importance of her divergence from the speculative views and theories of Freudian psychology.

Outline:
Introduction
Overview of the Theory of Personality

From the Paper:

"The work of Karen Horney is recognized as an extremely significant contribution to the theory of personality. Her work is also acclaimed in the area of psychoanalysis and in field of feminine psychology. Horney is also known for her reformulation of Freudian theories of personality and neurosis. In essence her work is described, albeit simplistically, as presenting a,"... holistic, humanistic perspective that emphasized cultural and social influences, human growth, and the achievement of self-realization" (O'Connell & Russo, 1990, p. 184)
"Karen Honey was also the first woman to present a paper on feminine psychology at an international conference. However, more importantly, "she pioneered and developed a feminine psychology that provided a new way of thinking about women" (O'Connell & Russo, 1990, p. 184). She is credited with opening " new frontiers" in the conceptualization of personality and in psychoanalysis, which influenced a diverse range of theories, theorists and psychoanalytic practitioners; including humanists, cognitive therapists, psychoanalysts, feminists, and existentialists. (O'Connell & Russo, 1990)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Buhle, M. J. (1998). Feminism and Its Discontents: A Century of Struggle with Psychoanalysis. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. Retrieved February 5, 2008, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=77234362
• Ewen, R. B. (2003). An Introduction to Theories of Personality. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Retrieved February 5, 2008, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=104786503
• Grigg, R., Hecq, D., & Smith, C. (Eds.). (1999). Female Sexuality: The Early Psychoanalytic Controversies. New York: Other Press. Retrieved February 5, 2008, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=25049685
• Horney, K. (2003). Chapter 5 Neurosis and Human Growth. In An Introduction to Theories of Personality (pp. 115-128). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Retrieved February 5, 2008, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=104786623
• Hymel, S., & Moretti, M. M. (1999). Introduction to New Directions in Theory and Research of the Developing Self. Merrill-Palmer Quarterly, 45(4), 533. Retrieved February 5, 2008, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5001896395

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