75. A child’s parents openly argue about their financial situation. This leads the child to have a fear of abandonment and a fear of expressing their thoughts and feelings to their parents. Which concept in Horney’s theory is the child experiencing?
Answer: D
The child is experiencing basic anxiety.
Basic anxiety, according to Horney's theory, arises from feelings of helplessness and insecurity, often stemming from an unstable or hostile environment, such as parental conflict over finances. This situation can lead to a fear of abandonment and a reluctance to express emotions, as the child feels unsafe in their relationships.
A) Feminine psychology
Feminine psychology focuses on the social and cultural factors that shape women's experiences and personality development, but it does not directly address the fears and insecurities stemming from parental conflict. Therefore, this option does not relate to the child's fear of abandonment and emotional expression.
B) Neurotic need
Neurotic needs refer to irrational demands a person may create to cope with anxiety, such as the need for affection or approval. While these needs can stem from anxiety, they do not specifically encompass the child's fear of abandonment resulting from parental arguments, making this option insufficient in explaining the child’s experience.
C) Interpersonal relationship
Interpersonal relationships pertain to the connections and dynamics between individuals. While the child's relationship with their parents is indeed impacted, this option does not capture the core emotional experience of fear and insecurity that arises from the arguments, which is better described as basic anxiety.
D) Basic anxiety
Basic anxiety is the correct concept in Horney's theory, as it directly relates to the child's feelings of fear and insecurity stemming from their parents' open arguments. This emotional state can inhibit the child's ability to express their thoughts and feelings, aligning perfectly with the scenario presented.
Conclusion
The concept of basic anxiety is fundamentally linked to the child’s fear of abandonment and reluctance to communicate their feelings, as it emerges from an unstable home environment. Other options fail to capture the specific emotional turmoil resulting from parental conflicts, highlighting why basic anxiety is the most appropriate answer in this context.