Problem 8 - An Introduction to Theories of Personality

Question

Give a real-life example to support Horney's argument that "Every person belonging to a minority group or to a less privileged group tends to use that status as a cover for inferiority feelings of various sources."

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

An example is a student from a less privileged background in a wealthy school environment. They might emphasize their under-privileged status to blame societal structures and social inequities, instead of personal inadequacies, for their feelings of inferiority.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept

Karen Horney's theory is based on the idea of intrapsychic strategies, which are psychological mechanisms that individuals employ to cope with stress and reduce anxiety. According to Horney, those who belong to minority or less privileged groups might use their social status as a cover for their feelings of inferiority.

Step 2: Finding a Real-Life Example

Consider the case of a student from a less privileged socio-economic background attending an affluent school. This student might consistently draw attention to their less privileged status, highlighting the unfairness of the social structure, or the differences in their lifestyle compared to their peers. This could be seen as a strong cover to hide any feelings of inferiority that come from comparing themselves to the wealthier students.

Step 3: Justifying the Example

The student in the example masks the feelings of inferiority that come from comparison with the wealthier peers by drawing attention to the structural problems and social inequities, which are beyond their personal control. This allows them to shift the blame from themselves onto larger societal structures, which helps them to manage and cope with these feelings of inferiority.