Exam 5: Psychoanalytic Social Psychology Karen Horney Erich Fromm

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Erich Fromm saw our basic human condition as one of existential anxiety and a sense of isolation. He believed that as humans, we are aware of our mortality and the limitations of our existence, which leads to feelings of insecurity and loneliness.

Fromm identified three common mechanisms of escape from this basic human condition. The first is the "authoritarian character," in which individuals seek to escape their anxiety by submitting to a higher authority and conforming to societal norms and expectations. The second is the "destructive character," in which individuals seek to alleviate their anxiety by destroying themselves or others. The third is the "automaton conformity," in which individuals seek to escape their anxiety by conforming to societal norms and losing their individuality.

Fromm believed that these mechanisms of escape ultimately lead to a lack of true freedom and fulfillment, and that the key to overcoming our basic human condition lies in developing a sense of self-awareness, autonomy, and genuine connections with others.