Jung and Freud – Examples of Grand Theory 1
Theory: Human Archetypes and Psychoanalytic Theory of Personality (id, ego, and superego) –
examples of Grand Theory
Theorist: Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud
Biography:
Sigmund Schlomo Freud (May 6, 1856 – September 23, 1939) was an Austrian
neurologist who founded the psychoanalytical of psychology. Freud is best known for his
theories of the unconscious mind and the defense mechanism of repression and for creating the
clinical practice of psychoanalysis for curing psychopathology through dialogue between a
patient and a psychoanalyst. Freud is also renowned for his redefinition of sexual desire as the
primary motivational energy of human life, as well as his therapeutic techniques, including the
use of free association, his theory of transference in the therapeutic relationship, and the
interpretation of dreams as sources of insight into unconscious desires. He was also an early
neurological researcher into cerebral palsy. (Sigmund Freud)
Carl Gustav Jung (26 July 1875 – 6 June 1961) was a Swiss psychiatrist, an influential
thinker and the founder of analytical psychology known as Jungian psychology. Jung's approach
to psychology has been influential in the field of depth psychology and in countercultural
movements across the globe. Jung is considered as the first modern psychologist to state that the
human psyche is "by nature religious" and to explore it in depth. He emphasized understanding
the psyche through exploring the worlds of dreams, art, mythology, religion and philosophy.
Although he was a theoretical psychologist and practicing clinician, much of his life's work was
spent exploring other areas, including Eastern and Western philosophy, alchemy, astrology,
sociology, as well as literature and the arts. His most notable ideas include the concept of
psychological archetypes, the collective unconscious and synchronicity. (Carl Jung)
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Description of Theory:
FREUD
According to Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic theory of personality – known as the id,
the ego and the superego- they work together to create complex human behaviors”. With so
many competing forces, it is easy to see how conflict might arise between the id, ego, and
superego. Freud used the term ego strength to refer to the ego's ability to function despite these
dueling forces. A person with good ego strength is able to effectively manage these pressures,
while those with too much or too little ego strength can become too unyielding or too disrupting.
The ID
The id is the only component of personality that is present from birth. This aspect of
personality is entirely unconscious and includes of the instinctive and primitive behaviors.
According to Freud, the id is the source of all psychic energy, making it the primary component
of personality.
The EGO
The ego is the component of personality that is responsible for dealing with reality.
According to Freud, the ego develops from the id and ensures that the impulses of the id can be
expressed in a manner acceptable in the real world. The ego functions in the conscious,
preconscious and unconscious mind.
The Superego
The last component of personality to develop is the superego. The superego is the aspect
of personality that holds all of our internalized moral standards and ideals that we acquire from
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both parent and society—our sense of wrong and right. The superego provides guidelines for
making judgments. According to Freud, the superego emerges at around age 5. (Wagner)
JUNG
“Jung says", dreams and myths are constellations of archetypal images. They are not free
compositions by an artist who plans them for artistic or informational effects. Dreams and myths
happen to human beings. The archetype speaks through us. It is a presence and a possibility of
“significance”. The ancients called them “gods” and “goddesses”.
The Archetypes
Jung discovered that humans have a “preconscious psychic disposition that enables a
(man) to react in a human manner. So where do archetypes come from? Well, we are born with
these patterns which structures our imagination and make it distinctively human
The Shadow
The most basic potential for patterning is the shadow archetype. This is the potential of
experiencing the unconscious side of our unique personalities. The shadow is the easiest of the
archetypes for most persons to experience. The shadow is the personification of that part of
human, psychic possibility that we deny in ourselves and project onto others. The goal of
personality integration is to integrate the rejected, inferior side of or life into our total experience
and to take responsibility for it.
The Anima or Animus
The second most prevalent potential pattering is that of the soul (anima is the male name
for soul). Here we meet our inner opposite. Males meet their Anima; females their Animus.
The Anima may appear as an exotic dancing girl or a weathered old hag—the form generally
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reflects either the condition or the needs of our soul presently. The Animus may appear as an
exotic, sensual, young man or as an old grouch.
The Child
The child archetype is a pattern related to the hope and promise for new beginnings. It
promises that paradise can be regained. Child images like the New Years Babe obviously derive
from this Archetype.
The Self
This is the ultimate pattern. For Jung this is the God image. Human self and divine self
are incapable of distinction. All is spirit. Images of spirit abound. Wind and breath being two
very common ones. The spirit descends as a Dove upon Jesus in the wilderness. The voice
declares to him his true nature. “You are my son, my Beloved”. This is an archetypal drama for
self. (Jung's Archetypes)
Report Prepared by:
Johnathon Ford
OCED Theories
References
Carl Jung. (n.d.). Retrieved September 5, 2009, from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Jung
Jung's Archetypes. (n.d.). Retrieved September 5, 2009, from
http://www.iloveulove.com/psychology/jung/jungarchetypes.htm
Sigmund Freud. (n.d.). Retrieved September 5, 2009, from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freud
Wagner, K. V. (n.d.). The Id, Ego, and Superego. Retrieved September 5, 2009, from
http://psychology.about.com/od/theoriesofpersonality/a/personalityelem.htm
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