Horney argued that disturbed interpersonal relationships during childhood could lead to psychological disorders. The feeling of basic anxiety arises when parents' behavior is:

Any of the above

The correct answer is Option 4: Any of the above

According to Karen Horney, basic anxiety develops in childhood when parents’ behaviour creates insecurity and lack of warmth in the child. This may happen when parents are:

• dominant,
• indifferent,
• discouraging
• overprotective or excessive in control,
• inconsistent, rejecting, or neglectful.

Therefore, all the given behaviours can contribute to basic anxiety.

NCERT: Horney’s major contribution lies in her challenge to Freud’s treatment of women as inferior. According to her, each sex has attributes to be admired by the other, and neither sex can be viewed as superior or inferior. She countered that women were more likely to be affected by social and cultural factors than by biological factors. She argued that psychological disorders were caused by disturbed interpersonal relationship during childhood. When parents’ behaviour toward a child is indifferent, discouraging, and erratic, the child feels insecure and a feeling called basic anxiety results. Deep resentment toward parents or basic hostility occurs due to this anxiety. By showing excessive dominance or indifference, or by providing too much or too little approval, parents can generate among children feelings of isolation and helplessness which interfere with their healthy development".