Horney described some people as over-valuing the idealized self. The term for this is 'the tyranny of the __________'.

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Multiple Choice

Horney described some people as over-valuing the idealized self. The term for this is 'the tyranny of the __________'.

Explanation:
In Horney’s theory, the idealized self is a strict, perfect image a person clings to, and the “tyranny of the shoulds” captures the rigid inner rules they feel they must live up to. These shoulds are perpetual, self-imposing demands like “I should be perfect,” “I should be loved by everyone,” or “I should never fail.” When reality falls short, these shoulds trigger guilt, anxiety, and harsh self-criticism, driving neurotic striving. The term that best fits this description is shoulds; the other options describe related ideas but do not name the specific concept Horney used.

In Horney’s theory, the idealized self is a strict, perfect image a person clings to, and the “tyranny of the shoulds” captures the rigid inner rules they feel they must live up to. These shoulds are perpetual, self-imposing demands like “I should be perfect,” “I should be loved by everyone,” or “I should never fail.” When reality falls short, these shoulds trigger guilt, anxiety, and harsh self-criticism, driving neurotic striving. The term that best fits this description is shoulds; the other options describe related ideas but do not name the specific concept Horney used.

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