Women in Psychology 1850–1950 Paper
Chanda Holley
University Of Phoenix
July 6, 2009
Women in Psychology 1850–1950 Paper Many great women contributed to psychology and the history of psychology. These women were pioneers, theorists, and counselors. Each of these women contributed in many different ways. Although many women who made significant contributions to the history of psychology between the years 1850 and 1950; of these women one woman demands attention over all the others. That woman’s name is Anna Freud. In researching Anna Freud one must consider describing her background, theoretical perspective, and contributions to the field of psychology.
Background
Anna Freud was born on December 3, 1895 and was the youngest daughter of Sigmund and Martha Freud. Anna had five siblings, but she was the liveliest and most mischievous of the bunch. Anna grew up in the shadow of her old sister Sophie who was two and a half years older than Anna (A Centre of Learning - A Centre of Practice, 1993). Anna was especially close to her father, but was distant and had a strained relationship with her mother and siblings. Anna began her education at the Cottage Lyceum in Vienna in 1912, Anna attended private school but she stated that she did not think that she learned a great deal from this school. Most of Anna’s education came from her father’s friends and colleagues. When she graduated high school in 1914 (Rowell, 1998); Anna became an elementary school teacher and translated some of her father’s works into Germany; which increased her interest in child psychology and psychoanalysis. Anna never earned a higher degree, but she became a full member of the Vienna Psychoanalytical Society in 1922 and she began a children’s psychoanalytic practice in 1923 (Rowell, 1998). In 1938 the Freud family escaped Austria and settled in London with the help of Ernest Jones and Princess Marie Bonaparte. Anna aided in the care of her