Television Character - Coursework Example

Earlier in her studies on neurosis, Horney had developed a list of ten neurotic needs that could be categorized under three groups. The first group highlighted needs that move an individual towards others. These included neurotic need for (Horney, 1942): I. Affection and approval II. Partner who will take over one’s life The second category was based on needs that move an individual away from others, and these included neurotic need for III. Restricting one’s life within narrow borders IV. Power V. Exploit others VI.

Prestige VII. Personal admiration VIII. Personal achievement The third category was based on needs that move an individual against others, which included neurotic need for IX. Self-sufficiency and independence X. Perfection and unassailability Twisted: Danny 1) Identify whom the character is, what show he/she is on, and why you chose this person. Danny Desai played by Avan Jogia is a character in abc family’s hit TV series Twisted. Danny is portrayed as a charismatic teen who has just been released from juvenile detention where he spent five years for killing his aunt (abc family, 2013a).

Life gets tough for him as he is forced to move back to his hometown with his mother. Things get worse when Danny becomes a prime suspect after a fellow student is found murdered at her home. The reason why I chose Danny is because he is a character is affected a lot about his childhood and interpersonal relationships, which are key themes in Horney’s theory. 2) Discuss this character’s neurotic needs and trends. (Mention at least two traits from Horney’s list and identify whether these are moving toward, against or away from people along with a rationale for your assessment of each trait).

Back to his hometown, Danny faces a variety of challenges to which he holds his head high, with an easygoing charm and maintaining self-control. He faces hostility from his classmates in high school, isolation, discrimination, and injustice from both his peers and members of the community. Desai’s neurotic needs include acceptance and affection from his classmates especially childhood friends Lacey and Jo, also from the larger community (Horney, 1942). The other neurotic need is love in an intimate relationship.

This is displayed in Desai’s feelings for Lacey, his childhood friend whom he falls in love with and needs her to help him solve his life mysteries and clear his name (Bibel, 2013). The two neurotic needs displayed by Danny fall under the needs that move him towards others. 3) What do you think has happened in his/her life that has led to these behaviors? (It's okay to speculate if you don't know the actual facts) Several aspects of Danny’s life make him portray behavior that makes him have a need to move towards others.

For example, after returning from Juvenile, Danny tells his friends Lacey and Jo that he had a reason for killing his aunt. He, however, he keeps it a secret and does not tell anyone including Lacey and Jo (abc family, 2013b). The fact that his classmate who is murdered used to own a necklace similar to Danny’s aunt complicates things for him. Having stayed in Juvenile for the better part of his childhood it is quite hard for Danny to start trusting people and revealing his secrets, which contributes to his current behavior.

His behavior is