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Psychology

Question:

I need someone to explain the concept of "Collective Unconscious" as it pertains to the   work of Carl Jung.
 
Answer:

The most essential things to know about the theory of the collective unconscious are:

    1) Jung believed in the presence of the "collective unconscious" as the part of the mind
        that is common to everyone. This part of the mind is established prior to any conscious
        thought. It's basically instinctual. It is where human instinct meets common experience
        and shared culture.

    2) It is made up of archetypes. These are symbols that can be identified in all cultures.         Jung identified four main archetypes: 

i: THE SELF: The coherent whole, or everything that makes up a person. It is often symbolized with a circle. 

ii: THE SHADOW: Also called "the shadow aspect" it refers to the unconscious mind, and how it often disagrees with the conscious mind. Having a hunch about something is often attributed to the shadow. 

iii: THE ANIMA: This refers to the true inner self. Outward personality does not factor into the anima. Jung referred to the anima as being feminine, using somewhat un-PC descriptions of the feminine. A man's anima represents his feminine side, incorporating elements of his mother, and sometimes other female influences (aunts, sisters, grandmothers, teachers etc.). Men often find that they are attracted to women who possess similar qualities to their anima, but may realize later that they are falling in love with the woman because she embodies his idea of the feminine, rather than loving the woman for who she is. The anima manifests itself as female characters in dreams and the way a man interacts with females.

iv: THE ANIMUS: This refers to the functions of the mind without the influences of personality and learned behavior. Jung identified the animus as the masculine aspects in a woman. The animus is more layered than the anima and is present beneath the "mask" we wear, in learned behavior.

Archetypes can also refer a generic and idealized version of a person or concept. The doting mother, the slick and untrustworthy used-car salesman, the miserly rich man etc. Archetypes are said to exist prior to experience, that is we are born with the "collective unconscious"  and seek to achieve individuality in our lives.


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