Carl Jung challenged his mentor Freud with the hypothesis that adulthood not childhood represents the most significant phase of psychological growth. He believed that a sense of self does not even become established until adolescents. At this stage of life societal prohibitions and limitations are imposed, challenged, obeyed and internalised. Jung identified two major periods of development: 1. Youth- puberty to approximately 35 years. This stage he believed values are expanded in an outward direction.
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Individuals must focus outward to confront issues of sexuality making connections with others and establishing a place in the world. 2. Adulthood- 35/ 40 years to old age. Here values are focused in an inward direction. Adults develop a refine sense of spirituality, as well as commitment to life and a smaller circle of loved ones they must contemplate their values, culture and even death. For Jung the psyche consist of three major parts; * Consciousness * Personal unconsciousness * Collective unconsciousness Consciousness is a part of the mind that is directly known by the individual.
It appears early in life by the operations of four basic functions :- (1) thinking (2) feeling (3) sensing (4) intuition In addition there are two attitudes that determine the orientation of the conscious mind the Extroversion and the Intraversion. The extraversion libido ( Jung’s term for psychic energy as a whole or life forces) is directed towards the objective world of physical objects, people, customs, social institution, conventions, etc. Extraverts are preoccupied with interpersonal relationship and are generally more active and outgoing.
The introversion libido is directed inwards towards the subjective world of thoughts and feelings and preoccupied with intrapersonal matters, are introspective and withdrawn and may seem to others as reserved and antisocial. The development of the consciousness is the beginning of individualization, a process where a person becomes an individual. From this process the ego develops which according to Jung plays the role of gate keeper to consciousness, selecting important sensations, feelings and ideas and allowing them through into conscious awareness.
The ego also provides us with a sense of identity, continuity and is a core of the personality. Personal unconscious in Jung’s term is predominantly personal, that is composed of the individual’s particular and unique experiences which have been made unconscious through repression. The personal unconscious include things we think of as being stored in memory and which could become accessible by conscious recall. Associated groups of feelings, thoughts and memories may cluster together to form a complex, quiet autonomous and powerful mini personality within the total psyche.
Complexes often prevent complete individualisation of self from taking place. Collective unconscious can be thought of as a reservoir of latent or primordial images which relates to the original development of the psyche. These primordial images are also known as archetypes ( a prototype or original model or pattern), a response to an experience for the first time by our ancestor, in other words, they are like a photograph negative which has to be developed through experience. The collective unconscious helps to explain phobias.
There are four major archetypes of the collective unconscious: 1. Persona- this is the outward face we present to the world both revealing and concealing our self. It allows us to play our part in social interactions and to be accepted to others. It is the packaging of the ego, the public relations officer, a kind of cloak between the ego and the objective world. 2. Anima/animus- this refers to the unconscious mirror image of our conscious if we are male our anima is our unconscious female and if female our animus is our unconscious male side.
We have qualities of opposite sex however, in a well adjusted individual both sides are allowed to express themselves in both thought and behaviour. 3. Shadow- contains more of our basic animal nature than any other archetype. The shadow contains our creative and destructive impulse. When the ego and the shadow work together harmoniously the person is full of energy both mentally and physically. 4. The self- is the central archetype, the main archetype which unites the personality giving it a sense of oneness and fullness.
The ultimate of every personality is to achieve a state of selfhood and individualisation, this is a long process attained by few individuals. Alfred Adler Alder calls his theory Individual Psychology because he felt each person was unique and no previous theory applied to all people. Adler believed that we all have one basic desire and goal: to belong and to feel significant. All people, according to Adler, are born with physical inadequacies, which makes young children feel inferior to those around them.
As a result, people commit very early in life to rid themselves of these feelings of inferiority. Adler maintained that personality difficulties are rooted in a feeling of inferiority deriving from restrictions on the individual’s need for self-assertion. There are four aspects to overcome those feelings of inferiority: the development of personality, striving towards superiority, psychological health, and the unity of personality. Although the desire to strive for success and superiority is partially innate, according to Adler, the behaviour must be developed by the social environment.
In studying personality, Alfred came up with the term inferiority complex, which he described this as feelings of lack of worth. Alder was known to use the word superiority complex, this complex developed when a person tried to conquer their inferiority complex by suppressing their existing feelings. He felt that people were constantly trying to overcome their feelings of inferiority to reach superiority. Adlerian theory and practice have proven especially productive as applied to the growth and development of children.
Adlerians believe that “a misbehaving child is a discouraged child” and that helping children to feel valued, significant, and competent is often the most effective strategy in coping with difficult child behaviours. According to Adler, when we feel encouraged, we feel capable and appreciated and will generally act in a connected and cooperative way. When we are discouraged, we may act in unhealthy ways by competing, withdrawing, or giving up. It is in finding ways of expressing and accepting encouragement, respect, and social interest that help us feel fulfilled and optimistic.
Adler declared that each individual has an incomparable way of life, some are negative and some are positive. There are four main types of people, three out of four are negative. The ruling type tries to control others. The getting type tends to be very passive and goes along with others ideas, rarely inventive. The avoiding types try to isolate themselves to avoid defeat, they are usually very cold. The socially useful type, values having control over their lives and strive to do good things for the sake of society.
