Karen Horney challenged Freud's view of women as inferior and argued that psychological disorders were caused by disturbed interpersonal relationships during childhood. According to Horney, the feeling of basic anxiety arises from:

Social and Cultural factors

Horney, a follower of Freud, diverged from fundamental Freudian principles and developed a theory that embraced a more positive outlook on human life, focusing on human growth and self-actualization. Her significant contribution lay in challenging Freud's perception of women as inferior. Horney believed that both sexes possessed admirable qualities, and neither should be considered superior or inferior to the other. She argued that social and cultural factors had a greater influence on women than biological factors.