Bruno Bettelheim (1903–90) was a controversial Austrian-born American psychoanalyst and educational psychologist. He pioneered the application of psychoanalysis to treat autistic and emotionally disturbed children.
Born in Vienna, Austria, Bettelheim attended the University of Vienna, 1921–26, 1936–38, earning a PhD in psychology in 1938. He later gained a position as a professor at the University of Chicago and director of the Sonia Shankman Orthogenic School for Disturbed Children. He taught at Stanford University since 1973.
Bettelheim’s beliefs, which grew out of Sigmund Freud’s, theorized that children with behavioral and emotional disorders were not born that way and could be treated through extended psychoanalytic therapy. This treatment rejected the use of psychotropic drugs and shock therapy.
Bettelheim’s writings on children include Love Is Not Enough (1950) and Truants from Life (1954.) His other works include The Informed Heart (1960,) The Empty Fortress (1967,) and Children of the Dream (1967.) The Uses of Enchantment (1976) argued for the importance of fairy tales in child development. Much of his work was discredited after his death due to fraudulent academic credentials, allegations of patient abuse, accusations of plagiarism, and lack of oversight by institutions and the psychological community.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Bruno Bettelheim
No longer can we be satisfied with a life where the heart has its reasons which reason cannot know. Our hearts must know the world of reason, and reason must be guided by an informed heart.
—Bruno Bettelheim
The last, if not the greatest, of the human freedoms: to choose their own attitude in any given circumstance.
—Bruno Bettelheim
Topics: Decisions
Punishment may make us obey the orders we are given, but at best it will only teach an obedience to authority, not a self-control which enhances our self-respect.
—Bruno Bettelheim
Topics: Authority
For those who immerse themselves in what the fairy tale has to communicate, it becomes a deep, quiet pool which at first seems to reflect only our own image; but behind it we soon discover the inner turmoils of our soul – its depth, and ways to gain peace within ourselves and with the world, which is the reward of our struggles.
—Bruno Bettelheim
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
Arnold Schwarzenegger Austrian-American Actor, Politician
Carl Rogers American Psychologist
George W. Crane American Psychologist
Peter Drucker Austrian-born Management Consultant
B. F. Skinner American Psychologist
Abraham Maslow American Psychologist
Timothy Leary American Psychologist
Orval Hobart Mowrer American Psychologist
Martin Seligman American Psychologist
Howard Gardner American Psychologist