Television provides us with many interesting examples of interpersonal and neurotic behaviors. In this assignment, you will dwell into the life and actions of some of your favorite television characters and analyze them using Horney’s coping strategies.
Interestingly, Horney’s three coping strategies for one’s neurotic needs correlate very well with three of Adler’s different personality types:
- Horney’s moving-toward strategy—Adler’s getting or leaning type
- Horney’s moving against—Adler’s ruling or dominant type
- Horney’s moving away from—Adler’s avoiding type
Using Horney’s theory of coping with neurotic needs with three different interpersonal orientations, select a TV program of your choice containing a character that Horney would identify as exhibiting neurotic behaviors. As you watch a full episode of this show, focus on this character and tally each instance of moving-toward, moving-against, and moving-away behavior.
Research Horney’s theory . Based on your research, respond to the following:
- Discuss this character’s neurotic needs and trends.
- What do you think has happened in his/her life that has led to these behaviors?
- In addition to general life events, how has gender and culture influenced the character’s neurotic needs and behaviors?
- How do these interpersonal orientations impact the way this character interacts with others and develops relationships?
