Horney asserted that a person who had suffered neglect, loneliness or hostility during childhood could lose touch with their real self by substituting any shortcomings it has for “an ideal self.” This ideal self then appears in the individual’s mind to be more acceptable to other people. This process, along with the socio-cultural conditions surrounding a person during childhood was Horney’s theory of the cause of a person’s basic anxiety and that this was the stimulus for neurotic behaviour in adulthood. (Corey, 2001) Anxiety however, according to both theorists, could be abated by employing a defence mechanism. (Hough, 1998)
Horney’s version of these mechanisms states that a person who is suffering from basic anxiety would either move towards people, move against them or move away from them. Freud’s description of the defences was slightly more succinct and included mechanisms such as denial, repression and displacement. Although Freud’s description is slightly more concise, both theorists agree that when a person suffers from anxiety they will employ a defence mechanism which best suits the situation at hand so that the amount of anxiety suffered is reduced. Whilst both theorists have relatively similar views on the concept of defence mechanisms, they deviate most from each other on Freud’s assertion of psychosexual stages of development.
Freud’s theory of personality included a description of five psychosexual stages of development, namely: Oral, Anal, Phallic, Latency and Genital. In this he asserted that in order for a person to develop normally, their libidinal or sexual energy should travel through each stage to the final one thus allowing them to make the transition into healthy adulthood. However, from this perspective, if a person suffered from a traumatic experience during one of these stages, this could result in them becoming “fixated at a particular stage making them vulnerable to crisis in later life.”
( Ryckman, 2004, p46)
Horney disputed Freud’s theory of psychosexual stages, she believed that in order to develop into a mentally healthy adult “a person who was treated warmly, fairly and considerately by supportive and respectful parents would develop into a well-adjusted adult”. (Hough, 1998) Deviations to this type of upbringing according to Horney’s view could result in alienation from the real self and a more ideal self is substituted for it. From Horney’s perspective, the more a person deviates from their real self, the more neurotic their behaviour would be in later life.
In order to elucidate these two different personality theories, and to determine whether Tyson was biologically determined to behave aggressively, or whether his environment moulded him into acting this way, the following discussion shall compare and contrast them with reference to events in Mike Tyson’s life. Evidence supporting or disputing parts of the theories shall be suggested and an example of research into a similar situation with other people shall be put forward. Evaluative comments surrounding the theories shall be noted where appropriate and the conclusion shall show that socio-cultural factors are crucial in determining a person’s behaviour.
It has been noted by Gutteridge & Giller, (1996, p14) “Tyson’s Mother felt trapped in an abusive and violent relationship and she sought solace from her harsh existence through alcohol.” The authors then go on to state that “Tyson felt neglected and unloved by her and this continued until her death.” Considering Horney’s view of personality, it could be argued here that the feelings of neglect and lack of love experienced by Tyson, from an early age, stimulated within him a need to feel safe. In turn, this need for safety may have evoked feelings of anger and resentment towards his Mother because she did not respond to his needs. However, Tyson could not portray these negative feelings towards his Mother because he depended upon her for food and shelter. From Horney’s viewpoint this could be cited as the catalyst for Tyson’s subsequent violent behaviour. In short, anyone who provoked Tyson into feeling unsafe, just as his Mother had, was then met with an aggressive reaction. Therefore in support of Horney’s theory, the socio-cultural conditions Tyson was raised in had a significant influence upon his behaviour as it forced him into reacting aggressively towards anyone who made his safety feel threatened. Further evidence to support this argument is clear when considering Tyson’s treatment towards women in adult life.
Tyson was imprisoned for the rape of one female and arrested for the assault of four other women on different occasions. (Gutteridge & Giller, 1996) Arguably, these females did not respond to Tyson in the way he expected and their rebukes made him feel unsafe or unloved. However, Tyson was now independent, rich and had no need for dependency anymore. This change in circumstances enabled him to react aggressively toward anyone who made his safety feel threatened. This example illustrates the cause of Tyson’s unacceptable behaviour when his safety was under threat. Therefore it should be expected from this that a person would behave in an acceptable manner when their safety was not threatened. This concept is apparent when considering the point made by Hoffer, (1998) He stated that Tyson had the happiest and most content years of his life with his adopted Father Cus D’Mato. It is extremely noticeable that Tyson did not find himself in trouble during this particular period in his life. Arguably he felt loved, wanted and special by D’Mato and his family and as his feelings of safety were not under threat, he behaved in an acceptable manner. This illustration goes some way to uphold Horney’s theory that a safe and loving environment can have a positive effect on behaviour. However, considering this argument from a Freudian perspective would be quite radically different.
From a Freudian point of view the rape and sexual assaults discussed in this example, stemmed from the impulses from his “id” which were demanding sexual gratification. Freud may have contended that Tyson’s id had won control of the available psychic energy coursing through his body, which neither the ego nor the superego could stop or negotiate. This sexual energy and desire from the id arguably overpowered Tyson’s mind and his focus was to obtain sexual satisfaction. From this perspective other illustrations of Tyson’s id taking control of his psychic energy are evident when considering his behaviour during his youth. Hoffer, (1998) has noted that he habitually stole from people who had something he wanted, and assaulted others who tried to stop him. In these instances the demands Tyson’s id forced him to take whatever he wanted, even if it was to the detriment of others. However, it is ironic to note that these impulses from his id which forced him into engaging in this type of behaviour to satisfy its demands were the very same impulses that gained him respect, fame and fortune inside the boxing ring. Arguably, his id’s desire to retain the title and maintain the status and respect he now had, facilitated him to achieving a high position in life. Paradoxically this argument lends a little more credence to Horney’s theory of inner safety. Arguably, Tyson was indeed being driven by demands from his id in a Freudian sense, but these demands were bound now by the rules and regulations set out by the boxing authorities and this framework provided him with a sense of safety. Boxing protocol ensured that Tyson’s safety was not under threat and this enabled him to perform his aggression in a controlled, supervised and acceptable manner.
As stated earlier Tyson was a victim of bullying. However it was also noted that he reached the stage where he himself became the bully. Younger weaker children were the first targets Tyson chose to assault, but he quickly progressed to older children when he found he could beat them easily. His fighting ability, which was swift and vicious, resulted in him gaining respect throughout the neighbourhood and becoming an accepted member of the gangs.
It could be argued from both of the points of view in this discussion that Tyson was using defence mechanisms in order to abate his anxiety. From a Freudian perspective the bullies who taunted Tyson made him feel inferior causing him biological anxiety. The bullying that he suffered resulted in his ego feeling threatened and losing its balance of power, and in order to regain this balance, his defensive reaction was to eliminate the source of the threat. This example of Tyson targeting younger weaker children is a good illustration of Freud’s defence mechanism of displacement. Corey, (2001 p72) notes that one way for a person to cope with anxiety is “discharge impulses from a threatening object to a safer target.”
However, Horney’s description of the defence mechanism Tyson used here would be slightly different. From this point of view it would be described as “compulsive aggression.” Accordingly, people who display this type of aggression are making an effort to hide any sign of weakness or fear by “moving against people.” The compulsive needs of this type of individual according to Horney’s theory, is such that they have “a need to dominate and control others.” ( Fadiman & Frager, 1994 p141) It could be argued here that every time Tyson beat a child who taunted him he regained his feeling of safety. Subsequently, each time Tyson felt the need to regain this feeling he repeated the actions. A further reinforcement Tyson may have found from these actions was the added bonus of gaining respect from his peers and becoming an accepted member of his immediate surroundings. Arguably this exact pattern of events brought him success, fame and fortune inside the boxing ring. This huge money earning period of Tyson’s life enabled him to enjoy a lavish lifestyle.
It was noted by (Hoffer, 1998) that Tyson had a passion for collecting expensive possessions. He owned Siberian tigers, cars, fur coats and mansions. From a Freudian point of view Tyson could be said to be fixated in his Anal stage of psychosexual development. This stage of development according to Freud’s theory happens between the ages of one and three. An important aspect of this stage is the toilet training of a child. A child learns during this time to control his sphincter and bladder and could find that he is chastised for mistakes or praised for conforming to his parent’s wishes. The child may pass a bowel movement and feel immensely proud of it he may then seek praise from his parent but feel dejection when he did not receive it. This situation may render the child with feelings of deflation and rejection. Fixation in this stage according to (Corey, 2001) can then occur.
Corey, goes on to note that this can manifest in later life as a need to collect possessions for which one can feel proud so that the earlier feelings of deflation and rejection do not reoccur. Arguably though, this aspect of Freud’s theory would be difficult to support with empirical evidence. Most people would be unable to recall with any degree of accuracy the toilet training methods employed by their parents. Horney’s theory of cultural and environmental factors surrounding a person’s childhood having a critical effect on their behaviour in adulthood would be easier to provide evidence for.
From Horney’s point of view Tyson’s behaviour of collecting possessions was a direct result of his experiences in earlier life when his family had little money, he was poorly dressed, and he was tormented by other children about his appearance. A recent article by (Lane, 2004) supports this argument. Lane investigated whether winning the National lottery actually made people happy. The investigation enquired into what possessions people bought and why they had bought them. It was noted that 46% of the respondents who gave a reason, cited some form of poor background as the reason for purchasing items with the intent of impressing others. Therefore in terms of empirical validity, statistical evidence of research in to the underlying reasons for this type of behaviour from Horney’s perspective would be significantly easier to provide supporting evidence for. Freud’s theory on the other hand, fails to meet this criterion in this instance as providing evidence for this would be problematic.
In conclusion, the question of whether Mike Tyson was an inherently aggressive individual, or whether circumstances and events in his earlier life actually contributed to him becoming the personality type he now is, was the subject of this discussion. Sigmund Freud’s biologically determined theory was compared and contrasted with the more humanistic views of Karen Horney. Examples of significant events in Tyson’s life were used to discuss both theories.
It was suggested that Tyson’s abuse of women stemmed from the socio-cultural conditions which he was raised in, rather than the biological demands from his id. This conclusion was reached as it was argued in support of Horney’s theory, that even if the id’s demands played a role in determining his unacceptable behaviour, it was ironic that the same demands could be controlled in the safe environment of the ring.
Freud’s concept of the psychosexual stages of development was also raised as this posed the most radical difference in both theories. The question of whether Tyson collected various possessions because he was stuck in his Anal phase or alternately because he had been exposed to a taunted and limited cultural environment was subsequently discussed. It was found from this that providing evidence in support of Freud’s theory could prove to be problematic as people’s recollections from early childhood may be tarnished. Whereas on the other hand, research in support of Horney’s theory is readily available and evidence such as this lends more empirical validity to the Theory.
To conclude, the background information presented here from Tyson’s early life has been analysed from both perspectives and this discussion has elucidated that Tyson was forced to fight. (3009 words)
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Accessed: Nov 10th at 10am.
