The Psychological Theories of Jung and Freud - Coursework Example

Contrast and compare the psychological theories of Jung and Freud. Discuss some implications of their theoretical and therapeutic differences 1.0. Introduction Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung played a major role in the field of Psychology. This essay will compare and contrast the psychological theories. A discussion of the technics of psychotherapy and the implications for the client, the positives and pluses for psychotherapy, the etiological and the teleological aspects of psychotherapy and the implication of neurosis always being interrupted to our past causes or neurosis in our so call future causes and lastly, the differences for a person being worked with the therapy in question. 2.0. Contrasts and comparison of Freud’s and Jung’s theory 2.1. Sigmund Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory Sigmund Freud developed the Psychoanalytic Theory. As seen in the research conducted by Schimmel (2013, pp. 61-77), Sigmund Freud was of the opinion that the mind comprise of three levels that control the human. The first level is the unconscious mind, second the preconscious mind and lastly the unconscious mind. For the case of the Psychoanalytic theory, focus is mostly put on the unconscious mind. In the work of Schimmel (2013, pp. 61-77), the unconscious mind entails feelings and thoughts such as sexual feelings, uninvited thoughts, events as well as the experiences that are in contrary with the conscious mind. In the thought of Freud, personality development solely relied on the unconscious motivations of the self (Rycroft, 1995, pp. 38-52). Freud also noted that the mind contains, the id, ego and the super ego (Schimmel, 2013, pp. 61-77). The id seeks to attain pleasure and will not stop until it attains its immediate satisfaction. In the event that the id does not get satisfied, it automatically turns aggressive. The ego tries to fulfil the desires of the id. This explains that the ego works under pressure from id to meet its needs if long term satisfaction has to be attained. The facilitation of the needs between the desires of id and ego reduces the chances of aggression and chaos resulting (Schimmel, 2013, pp. 61-77). Lastly, the super ego is a conscious part of the mind that represents the expected norms and values of the society. Schimmel (2013, pp. 61-77) writes that the superego determines what is factual and what is real; thus, determine how a person ought to behave in the society. Simply put, the superego determines what is right and what is not in the society more so as prescribed by one’s parents as well as the environment. It is through the superego that persons determine if they are right or wrong. In the long run, individuals end up appreciating themselves or even becoming guilty of their actions. The function of the superego is indeed a contrary of the id and the ego that work through emotions (Schimmel, 2013, pp. 61-77). The superego also attempts to find a common ground between the ego and id. 2.2. Carl Jung’s Jungian Theory On the other hand, with the support of the concepts explained by Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung developed the Jungian Theory that focused on the psychological makeup of an individual commonly referred to as the psyche (Asch, 2004, pp. 129). At the centre of the psyche lies the ego that directed the human mind. The unconscious mind was unreachable, but through the use of dreams and symbols, human had the opportunity to explain the unconscious self (Sharf, 2011, pp.82-123). Jung (1963, pp.170- 192) also indicates that through the unconscious mind, humans can twist their energies to more creativity as the dreams provided a leeway in which the unconscious mind can be manipulated. Jung was the opinion that the only part of the mind that was individualistic is the personal conscious that involved the persona of a person that clearly explains the responsibilities one has in the society and the shadow that suppresses the embarrassing aspects of an individual (Sharf, 2011, pp.82-123; Samuels, Shorter & Plaut, 1986, pp.21-57). Through the collective unconscious, archetypes/symbols are formed with the ability of inherited capacities. However, Jung explains that the specific attributes of archetypes change with time while the most important characteristics of the archetypes remain constant (Sharf, 2011, pp.82-123). 2.3. Comparisons and contrasts A brief analysis of these theories explain a comparison of the theorists who both believe in the existence of both the conscious and the unconscious minds. The two theorists are also of the opinion that dream symbols existed in the human mind. However, the two theories contrast each other on the grounds that Freud explains that human behaviour can be analysed on the basis of internal sexual drives and anger (Schimmel, 2013, pp. 61-77). On the other hand, Carl Jung may be described as more humanistic and thought that all humans have the capacity to grow and be as creative as possible (Sharf, 2011, p.82-123). It is this aspect that explains why Jung does not view symbols as a culmination of sexual drives, but as a way that would allow individuals grow if focus is put on the unconscious’ creative energy. Additionally, Freud thought that religion was not a perfect means in which sex and aggression would be controlled and that all persons cannot outdo their urges. Jung was of the opinion that religion offered a perfect solution to the problem and that psychotherapy works since men have lost touch with their religion (Sharf, 2011, p.82-123). Through religion, man gets in contact with the unconscious and that mental stability, in the thought of Jung, can be achieved through a reconnection with one’s spirits. 3.0. Implications of the Theoretical and Therapeutic Differences of Jung and Freud’s theories on psychotherapy - the minuses and pluses for psychotherapy Carl Jung’s Jungian theory and Sigmund Freud’s Psychoanalytic theories have major implications on psychotherapy. Based on Sigmund Freud’s Psychoanalytic theory, therapy will be based on the unconscious mind as through the unconscious mind, thoughts and behaviours of individuals have been said to have major influences. Corey (2012, pp. 62-82) indicates that through therapy based on the psychoanalytic therapy, the experiences of the client’s childhood to adulthood are evaluated so as to deliberate on the existing status of the client. This interprets that Freud’s therapy is etiological. Through an analysis of the past experiences of the client, it is possible to assess the concerns that cause tribulations on the client. Corey (2012, pp. 62-82) continues to indicate that through this process, the therapy given on the patient is long term care that will see to the patient accessing help to their issues. In the event that the therapy is subjected to the clients for a continuous long-term process, it is possible that the clients will access permanent help to their problems. In the work of Corey (2012, pp. 62-82), Freud’s psychoanalytic help not only focuses on the personality of the client, but also on the emotional aspect of individuals. This is to mean that the therapist will mostly focus on making long-lasting changes on the life of an individual so as to have a complete and fulfilling individual. In the thought of Corey (2012, pp. 62-82), the psychoanalytic therapy dates back to the 1800s when Sigmund Freud who used hypnosis to treat the women who were suffering from hysteria. Freud’s Psychoanalytic therapy helped lessened the trauma that the women went through in the past. The therapy, as Freud termed as talk therapy, enabled the clients express themselves freely, analyse their dreams and symbols and then come up with a solution to their problems (Corey, 2012, pp. 62-82). With the application of Freud’s Psychoanalytic therapy, change is expected in the individuals undergoing therapy. According to Sigmund Freud’s Psychoanalytic therapy, various assumptions must be followed for clients to attain the healing process. First, Corey (2012, pp. 62-82) indicates that the client’s psychological problems emanate from the unconscious self. The therapy must then ensure that the individual is in a position to open up to the issues that revolve around their personal life. Secondly, Corey (2012, pp. 62-82) is of the opinion that psychoanalytic therapy presents symptoms that are caused by underlying instabilities in the clients. This is t mean that the counsellor has to do much more than simply assessing the self but the unconscious aspect that shapes the human. Third, the Psychoanalytic therapy as presented by Freud explains that the main causes of psychological distress involve the unsettled issues in the course of development or the traumas that individuals endure in their life (Corey, 2012, pp. 62-82). Lastly, the psychoanalytic theory explains that the treatment given to clients should aim at reducing the conflicts that clients go through, to an extent that the individuals in question can effectively deal with their issues (Corey, 2012, pp. 62-82). From an analysis of the psychoanalytic therapy, it is evident that the therapist focuses more on instilling change in the clients as it helps the clients recall their past events and how the same affect their present day lives. The therapist also adopts a non-judgment approach that allows the client have their concerns listened to and ultimately devising a pattern or events that will allow the clients deal with their issues. The psychoanalytic therapy in this context can be summarized to work on the basis of free association where the therapist helps the client speak freely so as they can regain their previous emotional status. Therapeutic transference is also a major tenet of the Freudian psychotherapy that explains the transfer of thoughts to influential persons in one’s life (Corey, 2012, pp. 62-82). Last is the interpretation phase that seeks to allow the client discern their issues and how they can resolve them (Corey, 2012, pp. 62-82). Jungian therapy differs greatly from that of Freud. Jung focused on an individual’ positive development abilities as he thought that in the event that people find their potential they can change the world in a unique way (Ivey, et. al., 2007, pp. 161-178). Jung also believed in a teleological oriented approach that argued that persons are goal bound. As far as the therapeutic effects are in question, the Jungian therapy leads to the assumption that the client in question acts as a result of the unconscious self. This explains why the clients present a unique way of constructing their problem, but Jung quotes that the family and cultural influences are more influential than the individual abilities (Ivey, et. al., 2007, pp. 161-178). The therapist must, therefore, focus on personal statements while dealing with a client so as they can feel that they are analysing the case from a personal perspective, and in the long run, they ae expected to open up to their issues. Nevertheless, it is crucial to note that other persons were of the contrary opinion such as Launikari & Puukari (2005, pp. 29-31) who are of the opinion that counsellors/ therapists must not only focus on the multicultural context but also help the families deal with their cultural setting as well as change the culture that is responsible for the pathological problems. The same line of thought is in line with the story of Kunta Kinte in Alex Haley’s Roots, whose daughter had been taken into slavery (Chapman, 2010, pp.235). The family members were using defence mechanisms even when their daughter was on the wrong side of the law, in an attempt to reduce the anxieties that resulted from their psychological memories. Jungian’s therapy, in this case, work towards helping the individuals develop a new self that can overcome the psychological strains that result from their family, personal issues or even the cultural conscious (Ivey, et. al., 2007; pp. 161-178). A major limitation is that Jung’s therapy is only applicable to individuals with psychological maturity as well as intellectual abilities that help understand the concept of persona, shadows, collective unconscious and even the family concepts. 3.0. Conclusion Conclusively, Freud and Jung contributed greatly to Psychology and in giving therapy to individuals. Clients going through Jungian and Freudian therapies will differ to a great extent, as Jung expects that the client in question is psychologically nature to undergo therapy. On the other hand, Freud allows the client to open up freely to their issues and finally come up with solutions to the factors that pressure them. References Asch, M., 2004. Psychoanalysis (Its Evolution & Development). New Delhi: Sarup & Sons. Chapman, R., 2010. Culture Wars. NY: M.E. Sharpe. Corey, G., 2012. Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy. London: Cengage Learning. Ivey, A.E., D'Andrea, M., Ivey, M.B. & Simek-Morgan, L., 2007. Theories Of Counseling And Psychotherapy: A Multicultural Perspective, 6/E. NY: Allyn & Bacon/Longman. Jung, C.G., 1963. Memories Dreams, Reflections. London: Flamingo. Launikari, M., & Puukari, S., 2005. Multicultural Guidance And Counselling. Theoretical Foundations and Best Practices in Europe. Jyväskylä: CIMO. Rycroft, C., 1995. A Critical Dictionary of Psychoanalysis. London: Penguin Books. Samuels, A., Shorter, B. & Plaut, F., 1986. A Critical Dictionary of Jungian Analysis. London: Routledge. Schimmel, P., 2013. Sigmund Freud's Discovery of Psychoanalysis: Conquistador and Thinker. London: Routledge. Sharf, R., 2011. Theories of Psychotherapy & Counseling: Concepts and Cases. London: Cengage Learning. Read More