Which concept refers to the increased intensity and indiscriminate application of certain needs according to Horney?

The correct answer relates to Karen Horney's theory of neurotic needs, which designates a specific set of needs that can become dysfunctional when they are overly intense or indiscriminately applied. Horney identified that neurotic individuals tend to develop certain needs based on their experiences of anxiety and insecurity. These needs often manifest as compulsions to seek approval, affection, or power in ways that are not proportionate to reality, leading to unhealthy coping mechanisms.

Horney's neurotic needs can be categorized into three main areas: needs for affection and approval, needs for power and control, and needs for independence. The intensity with which these needs are pursued can lead to further psychological distress and relationship issues, as they are not grounded in a healthy self-concept or realistic evaluations of one's circumstances.

Basic anxiety, although significant in Horney's theory, primarily refers to the pervasive feelings of helplessness and insecurity that arise from childhood experiences, rather than the specific needs themselves. Fictional finalism denotes a concept related to an individual's guiding goals that may not be grounded in reality, while the creative self emphasizes an individual's ability to shape their own life and identity. Thus, of these concepts, neurotic needs most directly relate to the indiscriminate and intensified expression of