C. G. Jung and the Theory of the Collective Unconscious

Freud vs. Jung FreudJung Personal unconscious Collective unconscious AdaptationProgress *Jung does not agree with Freud’s theory of the psychosexual stages of development.

The collective unconscious can be identified through similarities in: the archetypal images and patterns found in world myths and in fairy tales the archetypal images and patterns found in world myths and in fairy tales déjà vu experiences déjà vu experiences love at first sight experiences love at first sight experiences “near death” experiences “near death” experiences

Archetypes: symbols that all humans recognize and understand; “original models” fulfill/represent a human spiritual need fulfill/represent a human spiritual need can overlap (Hero can be Scapegoat, Wizard can be Mentor, etc.) can overlap (Hero can be Scapegoat, Wizard can be Mentor, etc.)

Archetypes Cannot be altered by our conscious experiences. Cannot be altered by our conscious experiences. –while archetypal images---the forms the archetypes take---can seem distinctive, the urge for archetypes is such a human imperative, that the same archetypes appear in all cultures. Example, humans always recognize the Hero, but archetypal images of the Hero would be Beowulf, or Odysseus, or Frodo Baggins, depending upon the culture. Example, humans always recognize the Hero, but archetypal images of the Hero would be Beowulf, or Odysseus, or Frodo Baggins, depending upon the culture.

The Mother Archetype Good Mother: biological imperative for a nurturing figure Good Mother: biological imperative for a nurturing figure Terrible Mother: societal imperative for maturation Terrible Mother: societal imperative for maturation

Mana Spiritual power Spiritual power –often represented by phallic symbols. Freudian analysis: an Oedipal issue Freudian analysis: an Oedipal issue Jungian analysis: an issue of spiritual enlightenment or supremacy. Jungian analysis: an issue of spiritual enlightenment or supremacy. - in most primitive cultures, phallic symbols represent strength and fertility, not sex.

The Persona Akin to Freud’s concept of the Ego. Akin to Freud’s concept of the Ego. Strongly affected by societal expectations. Strongly affected by societal expectations. Gender, for example, often affects the persona. Jung (like Freud and others) believed that humans were really bisexual in nature, since as fetuses we begin with undifferentiated sex organs, and since as infants, we do not recognize gender differences; rather, we learn them. Gender, for example, often affects the persona. Jung (like Freud and others) believed that humans were really bisexual in nature, since as fetuses we begin with undifferentiated sex organs, and since as infants, we do not recognize gender differences; rather, we learn them.

The Shadow It houses aspects of ourselves that we dislike or wish to disown, and which can possibly turn to evil. It houses aspects of ourselves that we dislike or wish to disown, and which can possibly turn to evil. In order to become a sane, healthy individual, Jung believed a person must face his or her Shadow and accept its existence. To ignore the Shadow is to accept a half-life at best…at worst, it can create terrible situations (a la Hitler). In order to become a sane, healthy individual, Jung believed a person must face his or her Shadow and accept its existence. To ignore the Shadow is to accept a half-life at best…at worst, it can create terrible situations (a la Hitler). The Shadow is amoral and is not necessarily the Villain in a story. The Shadow is amoral and is not necessarily the Villain in a story.

Syzygy SIZ(a.k.a., the Anima and the Animus) Syzygy [SIZ-i-jee] (a.k.a., the Anima and the Animus) Anima / Animus definition Anima / Animus definition In stories, film, dreams, etc., In stories, film, dreams, etc., –the anima will take the form of a female character (a young girl, a witch, the earth mother) usually associated with deep emotionality and the force of life itself usually associated with deep emotionality and the force of life itself –the animus will take the form of a male character (a wise old man (Senex), a sorcerer) tends to be logical, rationalistic, even argumentative. tends to be logical, rationalistic, even argumentative.

Additional Archetypes The Father The Father The Senex (Wise Old Man) The Senex (Wise Old Man) The Wizard The Wizard The Mentor/Teacher The Mentor/Teacher The Hero, the Maiden, the Villain The Hero, the Maiden, the Villain The Child (Magical, Orphan) The Child (Magical, Orphan) Various animals Various animals

The Self The archetype of the Self is the ultimate goal in Jungian psychology. The Self represents you, with all of the facets of your personality expressed equally. You are at peace with yourself and one with the universe. The archetype of the Self is the ultimate goal in Jungian psychology. The Self represents you, with all of the facets of your personality expressed equally. You are at peace with yourself and one with the universe. If this sounds like Buddhism, it is. Jung was very interested in Buddhism and the concept of nirvana. If this sounds like Buddhism, it is. Jung was very interested in Buddhism and the concept of nirvana.

Setting Archetypes The Forest (yonic): the unconscious mind; a place of hidden fears / dangers / desires that must be faced and accepted/overcome The Forest (yonic): the unconscious mind; a place of hidden fears / dangers / desires that must be faced and accepted/overcome Water (yonic): transformation; birth or rebirth Water (yonic): transformation; birth or rebirth –Crossing The River: rebirth –Riding down The River: journey, maturation –The Ocean: the unconscious mind (like The Forest) The Garden (yonic): growth; fertility; security; fecundity; paradise The Garden (yonic): growth; fertility; security; fecundity; paradise –Garden of Eden The Path: the right or true way through life; the path of righteousness The Path: the right or true way through life; the path of righteousness –Leaving the Path, for Puritan and other religions = Sin