Neurotic Personality. Type Two. Movement Against People

2024 Author: Harry Day | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 15:43

We continue to consider the types of neurotic personality described by Karen Horney in her theory of neuroses. We meet, the second type of neurotic personality - Aggressive, the installation "movement against people."

This type of neurotic is dominated by aggressive tendencies. If the subordinate type is convinced that people are beautiful by nature, then the aggressive type is convinced that "man is a wolf to man." This attitude can be seen immediately, or it can be hidden under the guise of politeness, goodwill, and camaraderie.

The aggressive type looks at the other and thinks: "How strong is he as an opponent?" or "How useful will it be to me?" His basic need is dominance over others. He considers this world an arena in which the struggle for survival is played out, where the strongest wins. He calls it realism and it is quite difficult to argue with it in the realities of the modern world of competition. But there is a nuance, an aggressive neurotic is also one-sided, like a subordinate neurotic, only in a different polarity.

This type of neurotic needs to achieve success, approval, prestige, recognition. And he is very surprised when, having received all this, he still does not feel safe and confident.

This is due to the fact that the neurotic's needs are based on basic anxiety and fear. And if the subordinate type is aware of his fear and helplessness, and does not consider them as shortcomings, then the aggressive type does not recognize his fear either before himself or before others, he is ashamed of it. And then, fear is repressed, and with it the opportunity to discover and realize it.

The aggressive neurotic always shows himself in terms of strength, domination and becoming. The forms of domination over others depend on the natural abilities of the neurotic. This could be the direct use of force. But, if a neurotic has a tendency to isolate from people or a latent need for love, then he will avoid direct domination.

The main focus of the life of this neurotic is survival, success and the subordination of others. He has a strong urge to exploit, deceive and exploit.

Its installation: “What can I have from this? Money, ideas, prestige, dating?"

The neurotic is convinced that everyone acts like this, so it is necessary to do everything faster and more efficiently so as not to be a fool.

In a relationship, it is important for him to have a partner or friend who will strengthen his social position - with his beauty, money, connections or success. Love in a relationship plays a small role for him. He doesn't care much about others. His motto is: "Always save your skin so you don't look like a fool." Most of all, he is proud of his strength, will and perseverance.

The aggressive type does not tolerate losses well, in contrast to the subordinate type, which can hardly tolerate winnings. The aggressive type strives for victory at any cost, he considers himself a good fighter, is not afraid to enter into battle, into an argument, into competition. If the subordinate type constantly takes the blame upon himself, then the aggressive one always blames others, regardless of the actual state of affairs. To admit a mistake is unbearable for him, this is tantamount to admitting his weakness and stupidity, and this can undermine his faith in himself.

He is a very good strategist. He is able to calculate the weaknesses of his opponents, assess his capabilities and avoid pitfalls. He needs to always be the most successful, successful, strong, so he develops such qualities as efficiency and quick wits.

His intelligence and energy can lead him to success at work and in business. But his passion for work is deceit. he does not feel love and pleasure from work, he expels all feelings from his activities, as well as from life in general. This, on the one hand, helps him to be very functional, but on the other hand, it generates emotional sterility, and there is less and less creativity in his work.

From the outside, he may seem like a free person - he sets goals, achieves the desired results, expresses anger, defends himself. But in fact, he has no less prohibitions than the subordinate type. They are just of a different plan: to be friends, to love, to sympathize - all this he considers a waste of time. Although he can act outwardly consistent with Christian virtues, but deep down his philosophy is the philosophy of the jungle.

What displaces the aggressive neurotic? Soft human feelings: love, compassion, kindness. If the subordinate type is ashamed of his aggressive actions, then this type of neurotic considers his tender feelings a weakness. The loving attitude of others can make him nauseous.

Problem: the more the neurotic displaces his soft sides, the more his aggressive ones become stronger and become compulsive.

Aggressive neurotic conflict: it is a conflict between setting all potential enemies and his feelings of sympathy and love for others.

He finds a way out of this conflict in striving for recognition. When he receives recognition, on the one hand, this is confirmation of him as a person, which he really needs, and on the other hand, he is liked by others and for this he can love them.

It is important to understand, any person has a subordinate, aggressive and detached part. Accordingly, the attitudes: movement towards people - movement against people - movement from people. After all, we all need to yield to others, fight or protect ourselves. In a healthy person, these attitudes and needs are manifested at the right time and consciously. A healthy person is capable of flexibility, in contrast to a neurotic, in whom one of the attitudes prevails, displacing and suppressing others. As a rule, in the wrong place at the wrong time.