The
Feminine
Psychology
BY
Karen Danielsen Horney
P R E S E N T E D B Y:
J O C E LY N C A M O
Feminine psychology or the
psychology of women is an
approach that focuses on social,
economic, and political issues
confronting women all throughout
their lives.
Karen Danielsen Horney
Born in Blankenese, Germany, near Hamburg.
Born on September 16, 1885, and died on
December 4, 1952.
Father: Berndt Danielsen, described as a strict
disciplinarian.
Mother: Described as domineering and irritable.
German psychoanalyst, practiced in the United
States.
Pioneer in feminine psychology, challenged
traditional Freudian views.
Karen Horney's Early Life
Faced depression from her teens, caused by her
older brother Berndt distancing himself from her.
Struggled with feelings of unattractiveness,
leading her to focus heavily on her academics,
believing that she would be smart if she could not
be beautiful.
Began medical school in 1906 at the University of
Freiburg, later attended the University of
Gottingen and the University of Berlin. She study
of psychoanalysis during medical school.
Married Oskar Horney, a law student, in 1909.
Suffered personal losses with the deaths of her
mother and brother in 1911 and 1923,
respectively.
Faced marital difficulties, leading to a divorce in
1927, due in part to her husband’s domineering
nature and financial issues. She experienced
another serious episode of depression during this
time.
In 1932, she moved to the United States with her three
daughters, Brigitte, Marianne, and Renate. It was here that she
became friends with other prominent intellectuals, including
Henry Stack Sullivan and Erich Fromm, and developed her
theories on psychology.
Karen Horney's Best Known For
Neo-Freudian Theory of Neurotic Feminine
Psychology needs Psychology
What is Neo-Freudian Psychology?
The neo-Freudians were psychologists whose work
followed from Freud's. They generally agreed with Freud
that childhood experiences matter but
decreased the emphasis on the biological
aspect or sex as a primary source of
energy and conflict. Instead, they
focused more on the social
environment and the
effects of culture on
personality.
Horney's Theory of Neurotic Needs
• Developed a theory focusing on neurosis as
coping mechanisms.
• Considered these mechanisms a significant part
of normal life.
Identified Ten Neuroses, Including:
1. The need for power.
2. The need for affection.
3. The need for social prestige.
4. The need for independence.
Lets Compare
FREUD & HORNEY
Feminine Psychology
Aspect Freud's Feminine Psychology Horney's Feminine Psychology
Basis of Biological and psychosexual Sociocultural and psychological
Theory development factors
Key Concepts Penis envy, Oedipus complex Womb envy, cultural and social
determinants of psychology
View on Believed women feel inferior Argued women’s feelings of
Women's due to their lack of a penis inferiority are due to societal
Inferiority (penis envy) and cultural devaluation
Gender Emphasized innate biological Highlighted the role of societal
Differences differences between men and and cultural constructs in
women creating gender differences
Aspect Freud's Feminine Psychology Horney's Feminine Psychology
Psychosexual Women are seen as having Critiques the notion of
Development an incomplete or development based solely on
interrupted development male standards, emphasizing the
compared to men importance of cultural context
Attitude Considered passive and a Emphasized the autonomy and
Towards deviation from the norm complexity of female sexuality,
Female (male sexuality) independent of male
Sexuality perspectives
Responses to Implied that women's Advocated for the examination
Gender fulfillment comes from and overcoming of societal
Norms accepting their 'natural' impositions on women to realize
roles (e.g., motherhood) their full potential
SIMILARITY
OF SIGMUND FREUD'S AND KAREN HORNEY'S
APPROACHES TO FEMININE PSYCHOLOGY
1. Interest in Gender and Psychology
2. Influence on Subsequent Theories
3. Acknowledgment of Societal Influence
4. Psychoanalytic Foundation
5. Interest in Neurosis and Psychological
Disorders
KAREN HORNEY’S CONTRIBUTION
TO FEMININE PSYCHOLOGY
1. Critique of Freudian Theory
2. Introduction of "Womb Envy"
3. Focus on Sociocultural Factors
4. Exploration of Neuroses
5. Pioneering Feminist Psychology
KAREN HORNEY’S FEMININE
PSYCHOLOGY LIMITATIONS
• Limited Empirical Evidence
• Generalization of Women's Experience
• Neglect of Biological Factors
• Underestimation of Individual
Differences
KAREN HORNEY’S FEMININE
PSYCHOLOGY LIMITATIONS
• Insufficient Attention to
Intersectionality of gender
• Lack of Inclusivity
• Limited Scope of Analysis
• Ethnocentrism
REFERENCE:
Cherry, K. (2023, November 13). Contributions of Karen Horney to Psychology. Verywell Mind.
https://www.verywellmind.com/karen-horney-biography-2795539#toc-major-contributions-to-psychology
Cherry, K. (2023, March 15). Horney’s Theory of Neurotic Needs. Verywell Mind.
https://www.verywellmind.com/horneys-list-of-neurotic-needs-2795949
Cherry, K. (2022, August 29). Freud's Perspective on Women. Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/how-
sigmund-freud-viewed-women-2795859
Cherry, K. (2023, February 27). What Is the Oedipus Complex? Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-
an-oedipal-complex-2795403
Nickerson, C. (2024, January 25). Karen Horney: Theory And Contributions To Psychology. Simply Psychology. Retrieved
from https://www.simplypsychology.org/karen-horney-biography.html#Contributions-to-Psychology
Erban, E. (Medically reviewed). (2024, February 23). Understanding The Psychology Of Women. BetterHelp. Retrieved
from https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/psychologists/understanding-female-psychology/
