In Chapter 8, “Self-Expanding Solutions—Seeking Dominance,” Horney describes two typical types of mental health issues, in addition to the narcissistic type: the “perfectionist type” and the “arrogant-revengeful type.”
I believe that people with “perfectionist” tendencies are quite common in society. Being subjected to high standards of perfectionism in studies, sports, or work can be extremely stressful.
The “arrogant-revengeful type” is ruthless and more aggressive. From his clinical experience, Horney recognized that individuals with this type of mental health disorder often experienced harsh treatment in childhood, leading to their retaliatory personality.
Because of their hostile nature, these types are often attacked by others, further hardening their aggressive personality.
I myself was originally a narcissistic type, but especially after starting work, workplace stress, harassment, and bullying led me to believe that others and society cannot be trusted. I developed a tendency closer to the “arrogant-revengeful type,” unable to show weakness to others or society.
In the first and second installments of the Godfather film series, Al Pacino’s character, Michael, starts out as a relatively ordinary college student. However, as the story progresses, his family and spouse are murdered by a rival mafia organization, transforming him into a ruthless mafia don, ultimately killing his own brother, Fredo.
This illustrates how a person’s character can harden in response to their environment, becoming heartless, ruthless, distrustful of others, and transforming into a “retaliation-oriented” type who seeks to kill before being killed.
Horney argues that these self-expanding neurotics pursue an image of “winner, success,” suppressing and concealing their self-contracting tendency to seek love. These two aspects, much like the manic and depressive phases of bipolar disorder, light and shadow, work in tandem. When self-expanding fails, the previously hidden tendency to seek love and sympathy resurfaces.
When arrogant individuals who pride themselves on achieving high standards and victories experience setbacks, they often develop intense self-loathing, feelings of inferiority, and depression.
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