Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung - Assignment Example

 Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung 1. Do you agree or disagree with Freud's theory of the unconscious? Give your reasons for your response. Freud’s theory of the unconscious states that certain behaviors and actions such as slips of pen, tongue, dreams, and obsessive behavior occur as result of hidden causes or factors in a person’s mind (Freud & Rieff, 2008). Therefore, such actions and behaviors are revealed in a covert form that is not known by an individual. Therefore, Freud discards the idea of doing something willingly and regards it as an illusion (Thornton, 2010). In this case, whenever a person makes a choice, he or she is governed by hidden factors of the mental processes that he or she is unaware and lacks control over. I partially agree with this theory in that in some cases, we find ourselves making choices or engaging in some actions that we never anticipated earlier enough. For instances, in some situations, we make instant decisions when in dilemma or when put in a hot seat but cannot make or require some time to make such decisions in normal situations. However, I disagree with his stake of the theory that conscious mind contains nothing and that it waits for responses to be generated from the unconscious mind before making decisions (Thornton, 2010). This is not true since in some instances, there are some occurrences that a person is aware of and requires that actions be taken to solve the issue. For instance, when it is raining, a person was aware of the likelihood of it raining earlier enough before it commenced and thus the need to protect or shield oneself from the rain. It is therefore, not an instant decision to protect oneself from the raindrops but the person had earlier prepared for the rainfall. Furthermore, a person always becomes conscious of his needs such as hunger; when he is hungry, he looks for food to eat in order to avoid feeling bad. Therefore, the instance of feeling hungry does not just pop in at once but it is normally a gradual process thus, making a person prepare in advance to eat something. 2. What do you think Freud means by saying it's our "real self," and do you agree with him? "Real self”, according to Freud refers to personality of an individual regarding his or her behaviors, principles, and way of life (Thornton, 2010). Thus, according to Freud, `real self’ is the ego since it is recognizes the reality principle. The ego ensures that the needs of the id are met with regard to the prevailing circumstances. Moreover, I agree with Freud that the ego comprise the strongest part of personality as it satisfies the needs of id, not upsetting the superego while considering the reality of every condition (Thornton, 2010). Thus, the ego determines a person’s conduct, action, as well as life principles thereby defining the person. 3. How do you think the unconscious affects our daily thoughts, feelings, and behaviors? Give an example from your own life. The unconscious influences our daily lives in that it affects our thoughts, behaviors, and feelings. For instance, a slip of the tongue or pen normally gives us ideas that influence the decisions we make in daily life (Freud & Rieff, 2008). It therefore enhances our thoughts on various possibilities and actions or behaviors that may affect our lives. For example, in my life, I do experience a slip of the tongue when with friends and this normally makes me ask for forgiveness in case I wrong one of my friends. Moreover, when sitting an exam, a slip of the pen in some cases normally generates a point or an answer to a question, thus enhancing my performance. This experience normally makes me feel relaxed and confident during exam time since I respond to the questions correctly and within the time stipulated. Consequently, dreams and obsessive behavior offers me a chance to fantasize about my wishes or hopes and sometimes accords me a picture of my life in if in case some of my dreams were to be fulfilled (Freud & Rieff, 2008). 4. Do you agree with Freud's thinking about the meaning of dreams? Explain your answer. According to Freud, dreams preserve sleep in that they represent as accomplished wishes and hopes which when deprived would awaken the dreamer (Freud & Rieff, 2008). However, I disagree with this kind of thinking in that in most instances, many people wake up before they accomplish or finish dreaming. For instance, when a person has a dream that he is travelling to a place he has always anticipated of visiting, and then suddenly he gets an accident before reaching his destination and thereafter wakes up; his wish has not been fulfilled as asserted by Freud. Therefore, his stake on dreams only applies to some situations when the dreamer has his wishes accomplished when sleeping. For example, if the person reaches his destination in the case above, then his wish or dream becomes fulfilled. 5. What do you think about the theory of the Oedipal and Electra complexes? Would you agree or disagree that all children go through these complexes? Explain why you agree or disagree. Electra complex refers to a situation where a girl child competes with her mum to win over the affections of her dad (Thornton, 2010). According to Freud, during a female infant development period, the girl child initially gets attached to the mother. However, on discovering that she lacks male genital organs, she resents her mother and gets attached to her dad. This is because she blames her mum for lack of the male sex organs, otherwise known as `her castration’. However, as the child progresses in development, she resorts to identify as well as emulate the mother as she fears losing the motherly love. Conversely, the Oedipal complex refers to a boy’s thoughts of desire for the mum while displaying anger and jealousy to his dad (Thornton, 2010). In this case, the boy child considers his dad as the rival for his mother’s affections and attention. However, this scenario fades away as the boy child fears losing the love of the dad. Both Oedipal and Electra complexes is experienced in the phallic stage or period of psychosexual development; between age three to five (Freud & Rieff, 2008). I disagree that all children undergo these complexes since kids vary in terms of genetic makeup and preferences (Freud & Rieff, 2008). For instance, there are kids who from the time of birth display preferences for either the father or the mother. There are kids who like their dad while others prefer being with their mum, and this occurs throughout their period of development. 6. What effect do you think Freud's theories continue to have on both psychology and popular culture? Give at least two examples. Freud’s theories pose an impact to both psychology and popular culture in several ways. For instance, his psychoanalytic theory on unconscious mind has resulted into development of divergent views on human personality and advancement of psychology in general. For example, scientists such as Carl Jung and Ernest Jones advanced the works of Freud (Freud & Rieff, 2008). Jung advanced works on Oedipus complex thus modifying Freud’s work. Conversely, Freud’s theories provided avenues for criticism and advancement of parallel views. For instance, scientists such as Adler, Horney Erich are considered neo-Freudians criticized his work, thereby developing and providing alternative information in psychology. However, these neo -Freudians derived their base for argument from findings of Freud thus, according tribute to his works and findings. For instance, Adler modified therapeutic practice such as transference as advanced by Freud, thus reflecting theoretical shifts in psychology (Freud & Rieff, 2008). According to neo- Freudians, more emphasis is put on the relationship between patient and analyst, thereby putting little effort on exploration of a patient’s unconscious. Moreover, Freud’s stand on dreams seems to support views of popular cultures. For example, according to Freud, dreams offer opportunity to fulfill unconscious wishes thus, extending sleep. For instance, popular culture considers dreams as expressions of one’s deepest fear as well as desires. This is portrayed in films like Spellbound (1945) and Inception (2010) which are not symbolic (Freud & Rieff, 2008). In popular culture, dreams are realistic and straightforward thus; depicting desires and fears of the dreamer. Therefore, Freud’s theories has advanced psychology and supported the views of popular culture. 7. Explain what you think an archetype is. What kind of archetypes do you see in yourself and the people around you? Give one example of how you think these archetypes are manifested in yourself and one example of how you see them manifested in someone you know or someone famous. An archetype refers generally to a feature, symbol, pattern of behavior or conduct and a prototype, which is used to make copies or patterns of other products, symbols, or things (ARAS, 2013). Therefore, different things get made or compared with the archetype, thus forming a basis of comparison. In psychology, an archetype comprises a model of behavior, person, or personality. The archetype within me include humble, love, brave and optimistic. Moreover, my friends and other people around me do posses these features. These features were manifested in me through genetic transfer from my parents. For instance, my mother is humble and loving while my father is an optimistic person. These archetypes assist me in interacting with fellow classmates and friends as well as ensuring that I fit within the norms and code of conducts in my society thus, avoiding conflict with members of the society. 8. Do you agree or disagree with Jung's ideas regarding personality types? Give your reasoning for your answer. How might understanding your "type" help you to understand yourself and others better? Give examples. Jung’s ideas classify personality types into eight groups (Luttrell, 2009): a)Extroverted thinking – these people understand the world through a combination of abstract and concrete ideas. They concentrate on research sciences as well as mathematics. b)Introverted thinking – people in this group judge things with regard to objective fact. Therefore, they develop their opinions with regard to socially acknowledged values as well as majority beliefs. Thus, most of them engage in politics and in business. c) Extroverted feeling- individuals in this group infer stimuli within the environment through creative and subjective way. Such interpretations are facilitated by internal information as well as understanding. Majority of these people are theoretical scientists and philosophers. d)Introverted feeling – people in this group make judgments with regard to internally established beliefs and subjective ideas. In most instances, they disregard social norms of judgment or thinking, thus thrive as art critics. e)Extroverted sensing – people in this group recognize the world they way it exists. Therefore, they have pure perceptions not influenced by pre- existing beliefs thus, used in objective review. f) Introverted sensing - people in this group perceive the world through subjective attitudes while not seeing things the way they appear. They utilize the environment, and thus giving it a meaning through internal reflection. Such people participate in portrait painting as well as classical music. g) Extroverted intuitive – people belonging to this group develop understanding of things by means of subliminally perceived objective instead of incoming sensory data. They depend on hunches while disregarding what they identify directly from their senses. Most of them are inventors. h) Introverted intuitive- individuals in this group are affected by internal motivations although they lack complete understanding of the thoughts. Therefore, they derive meaning through subjective and unconscious ideas in the world. Most of people in this group are religious fanatics, surrealistic artists. I agree with Jung’s stake on personality types since it is comprehensive and covers various aspects not discussed or overlooked by Freud. This type of personality grouping helps one to determine his character and personality in an easier manner. When a person understands his or her type, it facilitates individual understanding as well as understanding of others in a better manner (Luttrell, 2009). This is because a person realizes his or her potential, preferences and dislikes, and thus enhancing performance while making life easy. Moreover, understanding one’s personality type enhances understanding of other people since a person gets in a position to realize his or her weaknesses, which might be strengths of other people (Luttrell, 2009). For instance, a person might be good in politics while another person might be talented in singing or in artistic works, thus providing a variety of talents as well as facilitating appreciation of such differences in the personalities. 9. Do you think Jung's philosophy that we should always try to be ourselves no matter what is true? Why or why not? What might the consequences, both positive and negative, be of always being yourself? Give examples. Jung’s philosophy that we should always try to be ourselves is true since different people have varied gene components, which contribute to our differences in personalities (Luttrell, 2009). For instance, a person might be talented in playing soccer while another might be talented in athletics or singing. These individuals perform various activities with ease while producing high results as well as in a convenient manner. However, in case the footballer indulges in athletics, he might not perform well as compared to the real athlete. Moreover the same applies to the athlete who indulges in soccer might perform dismally compared to the footballer. Therefore, we should recognize our types earlier enough and works towards bettering our potential and personality instead of trying to imitate other people’s personality (Luttrell, 2009). Being oneself is disadvantageous since it limits one’s capability in doing various activities or exploring other talents. References ARAS. (2013). What are Archetypes? The archive for Research in Archetype symbolism. Retrieved Jan 10, 2013 from http://aras.org/whatarearchetypes.aspx Freud, S., & Rieff, P. (2008). General psychological theory: Papers on metapsychology. New York: Touchstone. Luttrell, A. (2009). The Personality Theory of Carl Jung. Retrieved Jan 10, 2013 from http://suite101.com/article/the-personality-theory-of-carl-jung-a170440 Thornton, S. P. (2010). Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved Jan 10, 2013 from http://www.iep.utm.edu/freud/ Read More