Our Inner Conflicts: A Constructive Theory of Neurosis

Cultural factors significantly influence the development of neurotic conflicts by shaping individuals' perceptions of what constitutes masculinity or femininity, and by contributing to disturbances in human relationships. Horney argues that neuroses are primarily generated by disturbances in human relationships, rather than being solely instinctual as Freud suggested. She posits that cultural factors, such as societal expectations and norms, lead to internalized conflicts within individuals, which manifest as neurotic trends. These trends, like the need for affection or power, are driven by anxiety and aimed at safety, rather than satisfaction. Horney emphasizes that understanding the interplay of these cultural factors and human relationships is crucial for comprehending and treating neurosis.

Karen Horney identifies four major attempts at solution in neurotic individuals:

1. Eclipsing Conflict: This involves suppressing part of the conflict and emphasizing its opposite. For example, someone who fears rejection might overvalue their independence to compensate.

2. Moving Away from People: This is a form of detachment where the individual distances themselves from others to avoid conflict. This can lead to isolation and a lack of meaningful relationships.

3. Idealized Image: The neurotic creates an unrealistic, idealized image of themselves, which they strive to live up to. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy and a constant need for external validation.

4. Externalization: The individual projects their internal conflicts onto others, making them responsible for their problems. This maintains the illusion of control and avoids confronting the true source of conflict.

These attempts at solution contribute to the maintenance of neurosis by creating a cycle of artificial harmony and avoidance. They prevent the individual from addressing the root causes of their conflicts, leading to ongoing psychological distress and a perpetuation of neurotic patterns.

According to Karen Horney's theory, unresolved conflicts lead to various consequences like fears, personality impairment, and hopelessness through a complex interplay of defense mechanisms and internal dynamics. Conflicts arise from incompatible attitudes towards others, creating a basic conflict that shapes the individual's personality. This conflict leads to the construction of a protective structure, which includes an idealized image of oneself and externalization of unacceptable traits.

The idealized image negates the existence of conflicts, but it also creates rigidity and prevents change. Externalization shifts inner conflicts to the outside, leading to further conflicts with the external world. This process generates numerous fears, such as fear of exposure, fear of losing equilibrium, and fear of changing, which further entrench the protective structure.

Unresolved conflicts impair moral integrity by creating contradictory moral values and fostering unconscious arrogance. The individual's capacity for responsibility is diminished, leading to a loss of self-esteem and a sense of helplessness. This helplessness, combined with the repeated failure to resolve conflicts, results in hopelessness, which is the ultimate consequence of unresolved conflicts. Horney emphasizes that resolving these conflicts requires changing the internal conditions that brought them into being, rather than simply managing symptoms.

Karen Horney's therapeutic approach focuses on understanding and resolving the root causes of neurosis, which she identifies as internal conflicts. Key components include:

1. Conflict Recognition: Identifying the underlying conflicts that drive neurotic behavior, often unconscious and denied by the patient.
2. Basic Conflict: Recognizing the three basic conflictual attitudes: moving toward people, moving against people, and moving away from people, each representing an overemphasis on one aspect of human interaction.
3. Idealized Image: Understanding the idealized image as a substitute for genuine self-confidence and pride, serving to negate the existence of conflicts.
4. Externalization: The process of projecting internal conflicts onto others, leading to increased conflict with the external world.
5. Consequences of Unresolved Conflicts: Addressing the consequences like fear, diminished personality, hopelessness, and sadistic trends.
6. Resolution: Changing the conditions within the personality that created the conflicts, helping the patient to become aware of their real feelings and develop their own values.

Horney suggests that therapy should focus on changing the patient's internal conditions, helping them retrieve themselves, become aware of their real feelings, and relate to others based on their feelings and convictions. This process involves working through the patient's defenses, understanding the origins of their conflicts, and fostering a sense of inner freedom and growth.