Karen Horney Application of Karen Term Paper

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For Horney, it is self-actualization that ultimately develops a healthy individual, wherein satisfaction of the basic needs of an individual, such as sense of belongingness and love, are satisfactorily met and felt by the individual. If these needs are not met, the individual can develop conflicting selves: the "ideal" and "real" selves, which creates an internal conflict within the individual. This conflict creates, not only dissatisfaction, but a general hatred of the 'real' self, especially if the person's perceived 'ideal' self dominates over the real one.

These ideas presented in Horney's psychoanalytical theories are noted to be attitudes and behavior displayed at its most extreme form by the individual. Although I do not exhibit extreme forms of this behavior, I consider myself to have had experienced "basic anxiety" as outlined in Horney's behavioral phases towards the development of neurosis.

As a college student, I am exposed to different pressures and stresses as I try to accomplish my commitments as a students and my need to cultivate social relations and interactions with other individuals, be these individuals relevant to my college life or not. As Horney had explicated, I experienced internal conflict during my first year in college, wherein I tried to develop my perception of the "ideal" self, both as a student and as an individual (in general). I wanted to be a "well-rounded" individual, a person well-liked by many people, have a high self-esteem, and accomplish things without seeming to work hard for it. However, this "ideal" self is not agreeable with my reality: I have to work hard to finish my regular requirements and studies in college, and I am not as "well-rounded" as I wanted to be, having only a small circle of close friends, and generally, being unpopular in my school.

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It is because of this conflict that I tried to seek attention from others, mainly by seeking recognition from my friends and even classmates whenever there is an opportunity for me to interact with them. I sought their attention by portraying myself as a funny person, who has the confidence to joke around and chide other people on nonsense issues and things. While I may appear confident around my friends and classmates, I am actually constantly seeking their approval, and I often find myself in an awkward situation whenever a person does not appreciate my sense of humor or jokes, or simply ignores my efforts to 'establish' relations with him/her. I used to mull over these simple acts of neglect or rejection, and I engage in self-pity and experience extreme stress when I cannot seem to overcome these disappointments in my life.

Although I have not experienced anxiety at its most extreme form, this event in my life as a student had a great impact on me. Looking back, I agree to Horney's assertion that ultimately, it is the perceived feeling of indifference that can prompt the individual to seek attention and self-recognition, eventually seeking detachment from society and preferring isolation -- the deviant path to self-actualization......

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