Deck 5: Case Studies 7-8 Karen Horney: Contributions

Question 1

What did Adler say about birth order that would apply to Martin's life?

Answer 1

Martin was a first-born child and Adler would suggest that this made him feel superior and powerful.This may have helped Martin become a lawyer.However, he may also be a neglected child.The case study states, "At times the family was eligible for welfare assistance but his father refused to apply for it because it would have hurt his pride.Occasionally, the children went to bed hungry because of this." and "Neither parent was very affectionate toward the children and sometimes the children's basic physical needs were not even met, especially at those times when his father was out of work.Martin often felt alone and had commented at one point that neither of his parents really loved him." Being a neglected child would cause Martin to become cold, suspicious, hard and untrusting.This may also be why he is such a successful attorney.

Question 2

Did Martin have a high or low level of social interest? What does this imply about his personality and adjustment? What is the cause of this level of social interest?

Answer 2

Martin seems to have a low level of social interest, which would indicate a lack of adjustment, according to Adler.The case study states that others "remarked about how few friendships he had, his lack of female companionship, and his disinterest in any of the other activities on campus that were either of entertainment value or contributed to the well-being of the university.Even today, Martin does no volunteer work; he is not active in any community activities although several organizations have asked him to be on their boards of directors." Martin's lack of interest in others indicates a low level of social interest.This low level of social interest was most likely due to him receiving little attention from his parents.Adler believed that too little or too much attention would result in a child developing a low level of social interest.

Question 3

Does Toshimi have a high or low level of social interest? What does this imply about her personality and adjustment? What is the cause of this level of social interest?

Answer 3

Initially, it appears that Toshimi had a low level of social interest, most likely because her parents gave her too much attention as a child but the case study also states that the other children at ballet camp "looked up to her, especially in times that they needed comfort.This was quite a change for Toshimi.When she had lived with her parents, it was she who needed to be comforted...".When Toshimi was younger she was only concerned about herself but we also see that she becomes concerned about the younger girls after she moves away from her parent's home to attend ballet camp.This increase in social interest was probably due to her receiving less attention in her new atmosphere.Adler would suggest that initially Toshimi had a low level of social interest and therefore was not very well adjusted but that because of her increased level of social interest, she became better adjusted.

Question 4

Using Adler's theory of individual psychology analyze Martin's life by answering the following questions.
What evidence is there that Martin had feelings of inferiority?

Question 5

According to Adler's theory, how did feelings of inferiority influence Martin's behavior? What influence did these beliefs of inferiority have on his striving for superiority?

Question 6

According to Adler's theory what was Martin's goal? What was Martin's unique style of life that could be used to achieve this goal? Provide evidence for your answer.

Question 7

How does Adler's superiority complex compare to Horney's concept of idealized self?

Question 8

According to Bowlby and Ainsworth, what type of attachment style does Martin display? Explain.What would be the source of this type of attachment style?

Question 9

What did Adler say about birth order that would apply to Toshimi's life?

Question 10

How do Adler's safeguarding tendencies compare with Horney's neurotic trends? Explain Martin's lack of relationships using these two concepts.

Question 11

How could Horney's concept of basic anxiety explain Martin's exaggerated independence? What mechanisms are used by Martin to help him deal with basic anxiety? How does Adler's concept of social interest compare with Horney's trend of moving away from people?

Question 12

Using Adler's theory of individual psychology, analyze Toshimi's life by answering the following questions.
What is the motivation behind Toshimi's career choice, according to Adler's theory?

Question 13

What other theory, besides Adler's, could explain Toshimi's career choice? How?

Question 14

How do Adler's thoughts on parenting compare with Erikson's? Would Adler consider Toshimi's parents as having good parenting skills? What about Erikson?

Question 15

According to Adler's theory what was Toshimi's goal? What was Toshimi's unique style of life that could be used to achieve this goal? Provide evidence for your answer.