Our Inner Conflicts: A Constructive Theory of Neurosis (Paperback)

by Karen Horney (Author) "LET ME say to begin with: It is not neurotic to have conflicts..." (more)
Key Phrases: neurotic detachment, sadistic trends, unconscious pretense, Erich Fromm, Karen Horney, Peer Gynt (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
In OUR INNER CONFLICTS, Karen Horney develops a dynamic theory of neurosis centered on the basic conflict among attitudes of "moving toward, "moving against", and "moving away from" people. Karen Horney has been called one of the most original psychoanalysts after Freud.

About the Author
Karen Horney (1885?) was also the author of The Neurotic Personality of Our Time.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: W.W. Norton & Co. (October 17, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393309401
• ISBN-13: 978-0393309409
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #51,216 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful, Brilliant, Simply Correct, July 24, 1999

By A Customer

Karen Horney is one of the greatest of the Post-Freudian psychoanalysts. Horney's concepts of the root causes of neurosis, a basic anxiety, a sense of lurking hypocrisy , an idealized self image, conflicting impulses, are ingeniously insightful and, I have found, correct. Her paradigm is very useful for understanding human behavior; not only the behavior of those who would be diagnosed with a formal disorder but also of those whose personalities contain elements of neurosis not extensive enough for formal diagnosis. Understanding her concepts can also be valuable for those of us who would like to understand our own neuroses better. If you want to understand psychoanalysis, read Freud, read Jung, but read Horney as well. Without her ideas, your understanding will be sorely incomplete. Remember, Jung and Frued can be integrated with Horney, synthesis brings greater understanding. Read, learn, and enjoy the benefits.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Know Thyself.., June 28, 2001

By	"_bits_" (Australia) - See all my reviews

You've read the above reviews, and I second them all, so I will not repeat them. Let me just add that you will want a pencil and highlighter, because you will be underlining, circling, and making notes to yourself in the margin. This is an irreplaceable tool if you're into self-cultivation. A giant step UP from the abundant new-age spiritual soul-candy out there. It is not a book on spirituality, but identifying and correcting our OWN inner conflicts is the cornerstone of spiritual practice; therefore I highly recommend it for seekers and cerebrals alike. Everyone has heard the saying "Know Thyself"; this book will help you do it.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent; A worthwhile read, January 6, 1999

By A Customer

Our Inner Conflicts offers fascinating insight into the conflicts which frustrate all of us to some extent, as well as a look into the psychology of the people that tend to frustrate us. I have read this book several times over the years, and each time have taken away something new. While this book is not as detailed as Horney's Neurosis and Human Growth, it is certainly more accessible. I recommend reading them both.