Theodor Reik

Date of Birth: May 12, 1888

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Date of Death: December 31, 1969

Biography

Theodor Reik was an influential figure in the world of psychology and psychoanalysis. Born in Vienna, Austria, Reik was a student and close associate of Sigmund Freud, one of the founding figures of psychoanalysis. He earned his Ph.D. in psychology in 1912 from the University of Vienna, with his dissertation on “Flaubert and the Temptation of Saint Anthony,” which was highly praised by Freud. Reik fled Austria in 1938 due to the rise of the Nazi regime and moved to the United States, where he continued his work in psychoanalysis. He is best known for his contributions to the understanding of ritual behaviors and for extending psychoanalytic theory into areas like religion and culture. Reik was also a pioneer in the concept of “listening with the third ear,” which refers to the psychoanalyst’s ability to understand unconscious messages communicated by the patient. Throughout his career, Reik published numerous books and articles on psychoanalysis, including “Listening with the Third Ear” and “The Compulsion to Confess.” His work has had a long-lasting impact on both clinical practice and psychoanalytic theory.

5 Interesting Facts about Theodor Reik

1. Theodor Reik was one of the first non-medical professionals to be trained in psychoanalysis.

2. He founded the National Psychological Association for Psychoanalysis (NPAP) in New York in 1948.

3. Reik was a significant figure in the development of lay analysis, advocating for psychoanalysis conducted by non-medical professionals.

4. He contributed to the psychoanalytic understanding of religion and culture, particularly through his exploration of ritual behaviors.

5. Reik’s concept of “listening with the third ear” has become a foundational idea in psychoanalytic practice, emphasizing the importance of understanding unconscious communication.