Deck 6: Case Studies 9-10 Erich Fromm: Contributions

Question 1

Using Horney's psychoanalytic social theory, analyze Samara's behavior by answering the following questions.
Which of Horney's neurotic needs does Samara demonstrate? Find examples in the case study.

Answer 1

The neurotic need for affection and approval is shown and is demonstrated by Samara's lack of self-assertion and her trying to please her boyfriends.The neurotic need for a partner is also shown and is demonstrated by Samara going from one relationship to another and by her fear of being alone.

Question 2

Using Horney's psychoanalytic social theory, analyze Samara's behavior by answering the following questions.
Which of Horney's neurotic trends (or basic adjustments) is Samara demonstrating? Explain.

Answer 2

Samara demonstrates the trend of moving toward others that includes a striving for affection and approval and a seeking of a partner.All Samara wants is "someone to love her." She overvalues love because she believes that "if you have love, you have everything."

Question 3

How do Horney's and Fromm's emphasis on social influences on behavior compare?

Answer 3

Horney's and Fromm's theories are similar in their emphasis on the social influences on behavior.Both believed that culture and childhood social experiences helped to shape personality.One can see this emphasis in Horney's concept of basic anxiety that develops because of parental neglect or overindulgence.All the methods that Horney suggests we use to cope with basic anxiety involve modes of interacting with others.Fromm's mechanisms used to escape feelings of isolation due to experiencing freedom (which results in basic anxiety) are similar to Horney's trends.Fromm's authoritarianism and conformity are similar to Horney's trend of moving toward others.Fromm's destructiveness mechanism is similar to Horney's trend of moving against others.Fromm's relatedness need (i.e., the need to connect with, or form a union with, others) also illustrates his emphasis on social factors.

Question 4

Use Rotter's concept of locus of control to explain Samara's relationship with men.

Question 5

Use another theory, besides Horney's, to explain Shimin's antisocial behavior.

Question 6

Which of Horney's secondary defenses is Shimin using when he says he is too busy to join clubs or go on dates? Explain.

Question 7

How can Kelly's individuality corollary explain the difference in opinion between Samara and her boyfriends on the status of their relationships?

Question 8

According to Horney's theory, what is the cause of Samara's neurotic behavior?

Question 9

Is Samara's self-image an accurate one? How could Horney's theory explain the discrepancy between Samara's idealized versus real image of herself?

Question 10

Using Horney's psychoanalytic social theory, analyze Shimin's behavior by answering the following questions.
How does Shimin combat basic anxiety according to Horney's theory?

Question 11

Which of Horney's neurotic needs does Shimin display?

Question 12

Is there a discrepancy between Samara's organismic self and her perceived or ideal selves? Explain.How do Horney's concepts of idealized and real selves compare with Rogers's concepts of organismic, perceived, and ideal selves?