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, refers to the feelings of helplessness and insecurity that arise from a child's perception of their environment. In this case, the child's fear of abandonment and difficulty in expressing thoughts and feelings stem from the instability created by the parents' arguments, which exemplifies basic anxiety.
A) Feminine psychology
Feminine psychology, as proposed by Horney, focuses on the psychological differences between men and women and the societal influences on these differences. It does not directly address the child's emotional responses to parental conflict and thus is not applicable in this scenario.
B) Neurotic need
Neurotic needs are desires that stem from anxiety and are often excessive or unrealistic. While the child may develop such needs due to the conflict, the fundamental issue being highlighted is the underlying basic anxiety rather than the specific neurotic needs that may arise from it.
C) Interpersonal relationship
Interpersonal relationships refer to the connections and interactions between individuals. Although the child’s fears are influenced by their relationship with their parents, this option does not specifically capture the emotional state of anxiety that the child is experiencing as a result of the arguments.
D) Basic anxiety
Basic anxiety is characterized by feelings of fear and insecurity that emerge when a child perceives a lack of safety in their environment. The child's fear of abandonment and hesitance to express feelings directly relate to this concept, as the ongoing parental conflict creates an unstable emotional landscape for the child.
Conclusion
Basic anxiety is the most relevant concept in this context, as it encapsulates the child's feelings of insecurity and fear stemming from their parents' arguing. Other options, while related to aspects of Horney's theory, do not directly address the child's emotional response to the environment created by parental conflict. Thus, basic anxiety stands out as the definitive answer.