Horney’s Idea of the Real and Idealized Self
Horney talks about a real self and an idealized self. Those who live in accordance with their real self are considered healthy, while those who live in accordance with their idealized self are considered neurotic. There is conflict between the real self and idealized self for everyone and it is more extreme for those who are neurotic. Horney talks about seven devices that people use to deal with these conflicts: blind spots, compartmentalization, rationalization, excessive control, arbitrary rightness, elusiveness, and cynicism.
Based on your readings about Karen Horney’s approach to personality development, answer the following:
Using Horney’s theory, attempt to explain why someone might use the major adjustment techniques the way they do.