Psychology of C. G. Jung is expression of his inner development. Personal experiences, dreams, memories and reflections serve as a base for his scientific research into a human mind and the ways it works.
Jung gives the psyche more complex meaning than soul and uses it to describe all psychic processes that can be divided into conscious and unconscious. Human ego is operating on these two levels with consciousness constituting only small part of the psyche. Unconscious dominates this model including all of the elements we are not consciously aware of and those that were repressed, forgotten or sublimated. Ego being a subject of consciousness is focused on adaptation to the world.
Individual unconscious is called by Jung personal as an opposite to collective unconscious that is the function of inherited brain structure. The unconscious is primal factor on which conscious is build on. Jung understands conscious as a dynamic force, synthesis of functions: thinking, intuition, feeling and sensation. All those functions remain the same irrespective of circumstances. Thinking and feeling are classified as rational because of their qualities of judging and evaluating. Since intuition and sensation operate on perceptions that are not evaluated or judged they are classified as irrational.
All of those functions are present in individual with one becoming dominant in the course of time. The type of dominant function is directly linked to the type of personality attributes to specific type of behaviour and habits. Superior function tend to be in conscious whilst its opposite called by Jung inferior part is placed in unconscious. Two remaining parts belong partly to conscious and partly to unconscious. In a case of neurotic person correlation between attributes are distorted and changed by compulsion or training.
Altogether four functions symbolize wholeness and in theory all of them can be raised to conscious level to constitute a complete individual. Since no one can apprehend entirely his unconscious an individual can only progress towards this ideal never achieving it. The main aim of analysis is to make this process as sufficient as possible enabling person to apprehend unconscious content intellectually and discover its potentiality with the help of intuition.
Whatever the type of function based on unconscious level its main feature is unreliability. It represents archaic and basic element of psychological set up. Whole personality is not only expressed by a mixture of functions with one dominating the rest but also by general attitude.
There are two main attitudes: extraversion and introversion dynamising the entire psychic and determining subject’s response to the inner and outer reality. Extravertical personality is motivated positively by external environment. This type is characterized as well adjust, influenced by collective norms, orientated towards external world and motivated by object. The introvert is described as not adequately adjusted, motivated by internal psychic process and orientated towards a subject.
Though the type of attitude is determined by biology it can be modified or changed by reconstructing of the psyche. That can be achieved by triggering biological factor or through analysis.
When the obstruction of the flow of energy happens we are dealing with symptom. Symptoms are expressed on conscious level and indicate some inadequacy in attitude. Other phenomena visible on the same level are complexes. Complexes are psychic elements that separated form conscious and continue its existence beyond of control of individual. Complex can be very powerful factor, its intensity exceeding conscious intentions but also dynamic element motivating a change.
When collective unconscious is concerned Jung introduces the idea of archetypes. Archetypes (mythological elements, visions and symbols) are product of mankind’s history and influence lives of individuals. The archetype can be expressed in a form of primordial image (static form) or as a differentiation of function of consciousness (dynamic process). The archetypes are symbols of instinctive reaction towards outer world and as such are psychologically necessary. They can be described as inherited pattern of psychic behaviour. There is more to it than biological factor – archetype can be fundamental experience of numinous.
The psychic energy is called by Jung libido. This term expresses dynamic and intensity of the psychic processes such as: drives, wishes and will. On the whole the psychic processes are expressed according to the law of opposition that ensure balance, harmony and totality of the psyche. One process is replaced by another, flow into another – the low of conservation of energy is maintained through the life. Psychic energy (libido) can cause neurosis and complexes. The energy has also a direction and can make progressive and regressive movement. Progressive movement is expressed by adequately adjusting to the world, whilst regressive movement is a result of failure to adapt. Those two forms of movement are not only opposition but also positive values necessary to healthy development. The energy can also be directed inward (introversion) or outward (extraversion) and can differ in its intensity. The energy can be manifested in a form of an image with the use of imagination that is a way of introducing order into the unconscious (dreams, fantasies and visions).
According to Jung psychotherapy is not only a form of healing but can be also a salvation and ultimately leads to fulfillment of personality. This process can be fully experienced only on personal level as a spiritual guidance. Everyone is striving for a goal (finality) and has a sense of purpose orientating him towards the future. Striving for purpose is expressed by confrontation with environment and others. This process is dialectical: all confrontation leads to interaction that culminates in synthesis. Synthesis can be expressed is a dialog between two minds (e.g. during analysis) is a new value that transcends both confrontation and interaction.
Therapy is based on such methods as association, symptom analysis, anamnestic analysis and analysis of the unconscious. The important part of this process is analysis of dreams, fantasies and visions. So accent is placed on interpretations of dreams, differentiating between types of dreams and its roots. Dream can be a way of compensation and a key to the childhood. There is always individual and collective meaning of dreams, different interpretations of dreams and its projections.
Symbol (e.g. mandala – universal religious symbol revealing common psychic structure) is significant in dream interpretation. Symbol as a representation and transformer of energy can have two meanings: expressive (is expressed in a form of image) and impressive (make an impression by influencing psychic processes). Symbols can express personal experience but also archetypal contents of the psyche. It is a product of the whole psychic and can’t be explained only rationally – intuition is necessary in a process of its understanding and interpretation.
Analysis helps to achieve the wholeness of the personality – wholeness is never definite but always relative. It is a product of self – realization, self – fulfilment or individuation. Though individuation is a natural process of development of psychic it can be helped analysis. Process of individuation requires experiencing of a shadow. Shadow contains all repressed elements or those that cannot be used and can be manifested as a symbolic figure.
Equally important in the process of individuation is ‘soul image’ or anima (animus in woman). It symbolizes the image of opposite sex. Person can experience inner form of anima (animus) in dreams and fantasies or when projecting unconscious psyche on other person (outward form). Individual is making progress by perceiving and accepting his/her contrasexual element. That ensures independence and helps to handle the emotions. Once soul – image is apprehend it can be raised on conscious level perfecting the whole personality.
The union between conscious and unconscious is expressed by the image of self common to both psychic elements. Self as an expression of individuality is aim, goal to achieve and realization of the self is both a way of life and ethical challenge. Therefore a great responsibility rests on every individual – development of the person contributes to development of the whole culture.
