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Lifespan Development and Personality Paper
Introduction
"I then resolved never again to cry when my
father whipped me. A few days later I had the opportunity of putting my will to
the test. My mother, frightened, took refuge in the front of the door. As for
me, I counted silently the blows of the stick which lashed my rear end"
(John Toland, Adolph Hitler, pp. 12-13).
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Psychopath, murderer, insane, and numerous other labels, have been
employed to describe the behavior and actions of Adolph Hitler, as people from
all walks of life try to make sense of one of the world’s most infamous killer.
What caused him to behave in the ways that he did? Why was he filled with so
much hatred? What happened to this man throughout the course of his life? And
can these events have played a part in the formation of Hitler’s psychological
make up?
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This essay will be considering several incidents that took place
throughout the course of Hitler’s childhood and youth, reflecting on the way
that they may have been instrumental in shaping the future personality,
philosophy, and beliefs of the dictator. Through this observation, thought will
be given concerning the different influences that affected his psychological
development, with a view to determining how his growth could have been
optimized. Finally, two different personality theories will be discussed, with
an emphasis placed on the theory that best accounts for Hitler’s behavior, with
reasons give for this choice.
