Horney proposed ten irrational defenses against anxiety that become a permanent part of someone’s personality and that these things moderate or change behaviors.

1.) Affection and approval

2.) A dominant partner

3.) Power

4.) Exploitation

5.) Prestige

6.) Admiration

7.) Achievement and ambition

8.) Self-sufficiency

9.) Perfection

10.) Narrow limits to life

Horney defined basic anxiety as an “insidiously increasing, all-pervading felling of being lonely and helpless in a hostile world.” (Horney, 1937, p. 89).

This is the foundation from which neurosis emerges and it is tied to hostile feelings.

Horney felt that we all feel helpless or defenseless at one time or another.  These feelings may be manifested or even expressed in different ways but they are there none the less, they are all similar to us.

Horney believed that in childhood we try to protect ourselves in different ways. Those ways include: securing affection and love, being submissive, attaining power and withdrawing.

By securing affection the child is basically saying “if you love me, you will not hurt me.” Horney points out that there are several different ways that children go about this. One may be trying to do what ever the parent wants, another may be trying to bribe others, and even threatening.

Submissiveness is the act of being compliant with the wishes or demands of other people. A submissive person may choose not to voice their concerns or to defend against an antagonist for fear of the repercussions that the person or people may hand down to them. This fear may be of one loved one or the population in general. Most submissives believe that their submission is a act of unselfishness or self-sacrificing.

By attainging power people believe that they cannot be hurt by others because they are superior to them. This is to compensate for a sense of helplessness.

With withdawing a person chooses to not rely on people at all. They do everything they can to be self-sufficient. A form of indepenedence emerges and they receive satisfaction from not needing anyone for their internal or external needs. This is a psychological withdraw not a physiological stance.

The first three of these protective devices have one thing in common, interaction with people. The fourth is a withdraw from people. All of these devices have one single goal, to defend against basic anxiety.

A psychic mechanism for regaining security, displayed in unconditional obedience to the prevailing rules that govern behavior.

changing one’s ideal self to what is perceived as the preferred type of personality of society, losing one’s true self.

Automaton conformity is an escape mechanism that Fromm thought to hold the greatest social significance.

My chickens left today. Good bye chickens. I hope you do well at your new home.

Goat 1 is saddened by this as well since he is doing the midnight chicken dance to try to lure them back.

Poor goat1

The asshole who lives next to me is the ultimate reason why the chickens had to go. He is definitely defined as a asshole and not a good neighbor. Bad neighbor. Bad.

One can say we are defined by what we do while others will argue that we are defined by who we are. Ultimately we are defined by who we are simply because who we are is part of what we do. One can say “he is the IT guy” while someone else would say “That asshole is the IT guy??” Yes that asshole is the IT guy. He is a asshole first and foremost and as luck would have it, he is also the IT guy. We are just less likely to say “go see the asshole and he will fix your problems.”Only because we are programmed to be politically correct in our public descriptions of others.

We can be described in different circles as different things. Some would call us witty while others would call us dumbasses or lazy. We tend to gravitate towards the groups of people that are kindest to us for it makes us feel better on the surface. But is that best for our inner self? She is pretty, she is smart or she is cranky, she is domineering. Which person would you prefer to be? I have to wonder though if it isnt healthier for us to be around the ones that have a less than positive description for us…. The person who says “you are acting like and ass” may be the one that makes you reevaluate yourself and make changes to make you a better person. I wouldnt want to be called an ass but if I am in deed acting like an ass then why would I want to continue actions that cause needless harm or discomfort to others?

Just another pointless ramble.