Women in Psychology. Anna Freud - Research Paper Example

?Topic: Women in Psychology Anna Freud Anna Freud was a famous psychoanalyst born in 1895 and started her professional career as a teacher. It is notwrong to say that she had dedicated her life for children. She was not only the pioneer of the field of psychoanalysis but also a significant contributor in developing the science of child psychology. Throughout her life, she had devoted her efforts and energies for the wellbeing of children. She also made reasonable contributions in this field with the help of her writings and researched material related to child psychoanalysis. Early Life and Background Anna Freud was the youngest among five siblings. She was very close to her father, Sigmund Freud. However, she had quite tense relations with her mother and siblings. Initially, she attended a private school but she learned very little at her school. Her education in the field of psychology was based on the teachings of her father and her interaction with her father’s friends and colleagues. Career and Contributions of Anna Freud Just after high school, Anna Freud started her teaching career at elementary level. She started to translate the work of her father in German. This gave a boost to her interest in psychoanalysis and child psychology. She was greatly influenced by the contributions of her father in the field of psychology. However, with the passage of time, her work not only expanded but created new theories and ideas which further contributed laying the foundation of the new discipline of child psychoanalysis. It is very interesting to note that Anna Freud never earned higher degrees in the field of psychology. Yet, her work and contributions in this field emerged and paved the way for future psychologists. Anna Freud began her practice related to children psychoanalysis in Vienna in 1923. Later on, she also served the chair for Psycho-Analytic Society in Vienna. In 1927, she published a book on the techniques of child psychoanalysis which was named as ‘Introduction to the Technique of Child Psychoanalysis.’ In 1929, she wrote another book under title ‘Introduction to Psychoanalysis for Teachers’ which was a future guideline for educators and teachers dealing with children. In 1938, Anna and her father fled to London where she laid the foundation of Hampstead Nursery in 1941. This nursery was aimed to provide home for destitute and homeless children and it also aimed to formulate the psycho-analytical programs for such children. The experiences at Hampstead Nursery gave Anna Freud an inspiration for her future literary works involved ‘Young Children in Wartime’ in 1942, ‘War and Children’ in 1943 and ‘Infants without Families’ in 1943. Later on, in 1945, Anna Freud also created Child Therapy Courses as well as clinic where she served as the director of the institution from 1952 till her death in 1982. In 1965, another great contribution to the field of psychology was published known as Normality and Pathology in Childhood. After that, Freud’s work was translated into many other languages. International Universities Press also published a copy of her collected papers. This publication was known as ‘Writings of Anna Freud’ and available in eight volumes. Anna Freud received many decorations, honors and honorary degrees from different universities of international repute. She was also known as the commander of the British Empire. Theoretical Perspectives As discussed above, Anna Freud made reasonable contributions in the field of child psychology. Some of her theoretical experiences and process of investigation are discussed here, Child Psychology When we talk about Anna Freud’s contribution to the field of psychology, we find out that most of her interests and energies were dedicated to the investigation of children. Although she also talked about adolescence but her focus of interest were young children because of her early career as an elementary teacher. Anna’s father, Sigmund Freud, was a famous neurologist and set up the discipline of psychoanalysis. Anna Freud was greatly influenced by her father’s work. Due to his father’s specialty, which always focused exclusively on the psychoanalysis of adult patients, Anna Freud also chose the same discipline to investigate. While talking about child psychology, Anna Freud was of the view that therapist should never pretend him/ her as an authority figure rather he should act like a caring adult and this is the best way to deal with children’s problems. Anna Freud’s style of child’s psychological scrutiny makes great sense. Anna Freud also pointed out some problems that may arise while a therapist analyzes a child. According to her, the symbolic abilities of children are not so advanced as compared to adults. Young children face problems in expressing their issues and emotional problems verbally. Adults’ problems can easily be communicated with therapists and that is not possible as far as children are concerned. So, therapist should create an environment that must be comfortable for the child so that the child may express his emotional and behavioral problems in a direct manner. Anna Freud’s personality theories, child analysis and work contributions came forward as a result of her researches at Hamstead Child Therapy Clinic in London. It is also important to note that children’s issues are more immediate and change along developmental patterns. The relationship of child’s developmental pattern and psychology is directly connected. Parents and therapists should notice that a child mostly keeps his pace with his or her peers as far as behavioral pattern and activities are related. He keeps pace in term of personal hygiene, eating patterns, playing habits and relationships. If a child is keeping pace with the rest then it will be considered healthy. However, when any of this aspect lagged behind then the therapist can assume that there is some problem on the part of the child. So, therapist should carefully communicate with the child to get an understanding about the issue. He should further explain the aspect that the child is lagging behind to analyze the problem and finally recommend the appropriate treatment. Ego Psychology Anna Freud remained stick to the basic philosophy that was developed by his father. However, Sigmund Freud was more concerned with the structure of the human psyche whereas his daughter was more interested in the dynamics of the human psyche. She also explained the place of ego in detail in psychoanalysis while going through personality analysis. Sigmund Freud gave more focus and spent his major efforts on the unconscious side of human psychology. On the other hand, Anna Freud pointed out the role of ego as ‘the seat of observation.’ While describing role of ego in personality analysis, she also wrote a famous book under title ‘The Ego and the Mechanism of Defense.’ Anna Freud gained reasonable popularity because of this writing. In this book, she clearly mentioned how the defenses work out. So, Anna Freud’s focus on the study of ego was termed as ego psychology in psychoanalytic circles. This work is considered the crucial foundation of Freud’s contribution to psychology. This theory is not only practical in psychopathology but can also be applied to developmental and social issues (Boeree,. 1998). Freudian Research Methodology In term of detail analysis and theory formation, Anna Freud always encouraged studies at long term basis. She supported those studies that cover the time period from early childhood to adolescence. She also introduced and encouraged the way of group studies for more accurate analysis of personality problems. Natural experiment and observational strategies are always supported by Anna Freud. In her clinics, different groups of individuals or children are studied who suffered through similar disabilities such as early shocks or traumas in case of any war or parents loss in early childhood stage. With the help of such experimentation and observational process, problems can be sort out at one end and solutions at the other. Child’s Participation in Analysis Anna Freud was fully aware of the fact that a young child always lacks behind emotion capacities and cognitive capabilities that are required for better understanding of the problem by the therapist. Young children who have problems and whose developmental patterns are either delayed or distorted become unable to develop boundaries between object and self. They always need active interventions to build boundaries. For the development of sufficient moral values and sense, they always require a suitable person who may help them out to identify the model. Anna Freud also mentioned that the child is not able to readily understand the problem. He always expects external solutions for his problems. While passing through a problem, he wants his parents to eliminate the problem he is facing. He is not so concerned what is going in his mind. So, therapist should actively interact with young child instead verbal interplay. Therapist should never lie him down on couch or sit still while asking questions. Anna Freud also mentioned that it is wrong to assume that a child can share all his thoughts with the analyst. Child never shares all. Even he never wants to get help from a therapist. However, therapist should involve young child in a play which will be enjoyed by the child as well. Child can distract his attention from anxiety provoking phases in this way. Therapist or analyst can draw his attention towards situations that he will surely enjoy. On the other hand, the therapist can communicate with the help of this child play. This could provide information to the analyst about the interest of the child, his fears, fantasies etc. And this information may finally help the therapist to draw a child out of his/ her problems (Edgcumbe., 2000). Role of Education Anna Freud also emphasized on the role of education in the upbringing of children. She speaks about education in a wider sense. Parents and teachers should adopt special measures that facilitate the emotional as well as psychological development of the child. Parents should also identify models to offer moral guidance to young children while they pass through developmental phases in early time of their growth and development. They should better guide how to deal with social interactions and cope with life tasks. His instincts should be channelized in a constructive manner so he may become socially accepted human being. He should guide how to defend and respond against hard circumstances and strong feelings and how to manage jealousies and rivalries. So, what can motivate a child to contribute actively in this sort of educational process is his/ her attachment with adults. Conclusion Anna Freud is a great name for all those who are interested in developing understanding regarding human development. Her writings and literary contributions play great role whether you are a parent, teacher or a professional. Anna’s writings combined a powerful and an influential intellect and interrogating mind with observation that pave the way for further study and investigation process for child as well as adult development. Her works always focused on the upbringing and care of young children based on her clinical observations. With other work and experiences throughout her life, she also maintained a great effort and practice for adults’ analysis in Vienna and later on in London. So, in history she is also recognized as an adult analyst. References 1. Boeree, D. (1998). Anna Freud. Personality Theories. Retrieved from http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/annafreud.html 2. Edgcumbe, R. (2000). Anna Freud: A View of Development, Disturbance and Therapeutic Techniques. Routledge: USA. Read More