Melanie Klein

Melanie Klein (30 March 1882 – 22 September 1960) was an Austrian-British psychoanalyst who devised novel therapeutic techniques for children that influenced child psychology and contemporary psychoanalysis. She was a leading innovator in theorizing object relations theory.

Early life and education

Melanie Klein was born in Vienna, Austria, in 1882. Her father, Dr. Moriz Reizes, was a medical doctor and her mother, Libusa Deutsch, was a homemaker. Klein was the youngest of four children. Her education was at home by tutors and she was deeply fond of her elder sister Emilie, who was seven years older. Klein quickly developed a strong interest in reading, especially philosophy, literature, and the classics.

Career

Klein began her professional career in Berlin, where she studied with and was analyzed by Karl Abraham, a psychoanalyst and a key member of Sigmund Freud's inner circle. She became a psychoanalyst for children in 1921, and her innovative techniques still influence modern psychoanalysis. Her theories on human development and defense mechanisms are widely accepted in the field of psychology.

Theories

Klein's theories are based on the assumption that "internal objects" (the mental representations of people) are formed through the child's early relationships and experiences. These objects then influence the child's interactions with the world and other people. Klein believed that the child's psyche is directly affected by these early experiences.

Death and legacy

Klein died in London in 1960, and her work continues to have a significant impact on psychology and psychoanalysis. Her theories have been influential in the development of various fields, including child psychology, mental health treatment, and psychoanalytic theory.

See also

• Object relations theory
• Psychoanalysis
• Child psychology

External links

• Melanie Klein Trust

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