Theories of Psychology in Fairy Tales

Theories of Psychology in Fairy Tales

Many parents read fairy tales to their children. Young people are able to use their imaginations while listening to these fantastical stories. Filled with dragons, witches, damsels in distress, and heroes, these tales stay in the mind children for years to come. However, these young listeners are getting much more than a happy ending. Fairy tales such as "The Goose Girl", "The Three Little Pigs", "Cinderella", and "Snow White" one can find theories of psychology. Erik Erikson's theories of social development as well as Sigmund Freud's theory of the map of the mind and his controversial Oedipal complex can be found in many fairy tales. Within every fairy tale there lies a hidden lesson in psychology.

In 1963, psychoanalyst Erik Erikson developed one of the most comprehensive theories of social development. The theory centers around eight stages of psychological development. One of the stages, autonomy versus shame and doubt, occurs between the ages of one and a half and three years old. In this stage toddlers develop independence if freedom and exploration are encouraged. Autonomy itself means having control over oneself. "At any given moment, our behavior, including this sense [autonomy], is influenced by the outer environment and our inner psychological state" (Restak 268). If they are overly restricted and protected they develop shame. "Shame is the estrangement of being exposed and conscious of being looked at disapprovingly, of wishing to 'bury one's face' or 'sink into the ground.'" (Blake 115). The key to developing autonomy over shame and doubt lies in the amount of control. If parents control their children too much the children will not be able to develop their o...

... middle of paper ...

...use every tale presents a theory. In the end everything boils down to the fact that, fairy tales were written to be enjoyed.

Bibliography:

Bibliography

Bettelhem, Bruno. The Uses of Enchantment. New York: Vintage, 1976.

Blake, Toni. Enduring Issues in Psychology. San Diego: Greenhaven, 1995.

Feldman, Robert. Understanding Psychology. New York: McGraw Hill, 1990.

Heuscher, Julius. A Psychiatric Study of Myths and Fairy Tales. Springfield: Thomas,

1974.

Lang, Andrew. Fifty Favorite Fairy Tales. New York: Nonesuch Press, 1964.

Lüthe, Max. Once Upon a Time on the Nature of Fairy Tales. New York: Ungar, 1970.

Miller, Geroge. Psychology: The Science of Mental Life. New York: Bann, 1962.

Restak, Richard. The Mind. New York: Holt Company, 1988.

Velikovsky, Immanuel. Oedipus and Akhnation. Garden City: Buccaneer, 1960.