Karen Danielsen Horney - Neurotic Needs

Neurotic Needs

[Neurotic Needs]

• Characterize neurotics in their attempts to combat basic anxiety
• A single person can employ more than one

[The Neurotic Need for ...]

1. The Neurotic need for Affection and Approval

             - Attempt indiscriminately to please other

             - Try to live up to the expectation of others

             - Tend to dread self-assertion

             - Quite uncomfortable with the hostility of others as well as the hostile feelings

                within themselves

     2. The Neurotic need for a Powerful partner

             - Lacking self-confidence

             - Attaches themselves to a powerful partner

             - Includes an overvaluation of love and dread of being alone or deserted

             - Strong need to relate to great person

     3. The Neurotic need to Restrict one's Life within narrow Borders

             - Strives to remain inconspicuous

             - Take second place

             - Be content with very little

             - Down grades their own abilities and dread making demands on others

     4. The Neurotic need for Power

             - Need for prestige and possession

             - Manifest itself as the need to control others

             - Avoids feelings of weakness or stupidity

     5. The Neurotic need to Exploit others (I can control someone)

             - How they can use/exploit others

             - Fears being used/exploited by others

     6. The Neurotic need for Social Recognition or Prestige

             - Trying to be first

             - To be important

             - Attract attention to themselves

     7. The Neurotic need for Personal Admiration

             - Need to be admired for what they are rather than for what they possess

             - Inflated self-esteem must be continually fed by the admiration and approval of others

     8. The Neurotic need for Ambition and Personal Achievement

             - Strong drive to be the best

             - Defeat other people in order to confirm their superiority

     9. The Neurotic need for Self-Sufficiency and Independence

             - Strong need to move away from people

             - Can get along without others

             - Playboys

     10. The Neurotic need for Perfection and Unassailability

             - Strives relentlessly for perfection in order to receive "Proof" of their self-esteem

               and personal superiority

             - Dreads making mistakes and having personal flaws

             - Desperately attempts to hide their weakness from others