Guided Response: Respond to at least two of your peers who did not support the theory you selected, if possible.  Explain whether or not your peer’s comparison of the two theories appropriately noted similarities and differences as they relate to human behavior. Suggest other elements your peer might wish to consider in this comparison. Ask questions to further the conversation about your peer’s analysis and support of the chosen theory.  Your response posts must be a minimum of 180 words , and your questions to your peers must be substantive and focused on the theories of the unconscious mind as they relate to personality development. 

ASHLEY’S POST:

Overview

Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung both had distinct ways of researching the brain.  We also consider them to be the authors of the current psychoanalytic movement.  Freud relied on the unconscious mind being the epicenter of our subdued contemplation, traumatic recollections, and essential impulse of sex and aggression (Lecci, 2015).  He speculated that it was a storeroom for all hidden sexual yearnings, bringing about despondency, or what we would think of as structures- Id, ego, and the superego (Harris, 2009).  The Id section frames our unconscious drives that seeks joy or fulfillment.  The ego is our cognizant recognition and/or recollecting that empowers us to bargain with reality.  The superego intervenes the drives of Id through social satisfaction practices. 

Jung also compartmentalized the mind into 3 sections well-known as ego, individual unconscious alludes, and the aggregate unconscious.  Unconsciousness alludes to a general and free take of unconsciousness that contains memory traces related to all humans.  According to the text, “The collective unconscious refers to the inherited themes that are represented in symbolic ways by different cultures, and Jung found these themes expressed in literature, are, and dreams” (Lecci, 2015, sec 2.5, para 3). Persona a concept introduced by Jung is the identity that people assume.  Two attitude types that were introduced by Jung was people being an introvert or extrovert.

Compare and Contrast

Both theories are focused on unconsciousness and behavior even though they both have different ideas or reasons why individuals may behave a particular way.  Freud centered his theory around sexual drive and aggression while Jung did not.  Freud believed that the unconscious personality is the deciding factor of behavior while Jung trusted that it is a mixture of conscious and unconscious meditation.  Freud and Jung used free affiliation and dreams to give insight of behavior. 

Interpretation of the unconscious mind you support and why.

I do believe that both theories of the unconscious mind can be effective but I choose to support Jung’s interpretation.  I felt like he provided valid points determining the unconscious mind.  As an individual, I do not feel is consistently sexually or aggressively driven in terms of day to day experiences.  His translation fits well considering humans are influenced by understanding and culture from our conscious to unconscious activities.

References

Lecci, L. B. (2015). 

Personality

. Retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu

 (Links to an external site.)

Harris, B. [Brooke Harris]. (2009, April 17). 

Sigmund Freud: The unconscious mind (short version) (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.)

 [Video file]. Retrieved

Sigmund Freud: The Unconscious Mind (Short Version) (Links to an external site.)

Iurato, G. (2015). A Brief Comparison of the Unconscious as Seen by Jung and Lévi-Strauss. Anthropology of Consciousness, 26(1), 60–107. https://doi-org.proxy-library.ashford.edu/10.1111/anoc.12032

SAMANTHA’S POST:

The unconscious mind is stated as being the portion of the mind in which we are not aware of and Freud believes that this portion controls much of an individuals impulses, fantasies and primary processes (Lecci, 2015, sec 2.3). Freud also believed that the unconscious mind was completely inaccessible and mainly consisted of traumatic suppressed events, sexual drives and aggression. Freud believed the mind had three structures being id, ego and superego. The id was stated as the “pleasure principle” which would try to avoid pain and increase pleasure by any means necessary, such as the basic impulse to eat when hungry (Lecci, 2015, sec 2.3). Ego is a conscious perception, thoughts and memories that allow one to process and cope with reality and super-ego is typically instilled as a child which drove one to act in socially accepted behaviors. Regarding personality or actions, Freud believed that those who acted out in troubling ways such as displaying hysteria were simply acting out suppressed traumas deep within their subconscious, and the only way to resolve these problems was with extensive therapy that would help uncover the unconscious mind by bringing these memories to conscious reality.

Although Jung worked side by side with Freud his ideas of the unconscious differed from Freud’s and he went on to find his own system of belief. Jung believed the mind was divided into three parts as well but he stated these three to be ego, personal unconscious and collective unconscious (Lecci, 2015). Jung also differed from Freud with his denial of sexual instincts being the primary force in mental life, and focused more on collective unconscious vs. personal unconscious (Lecci, 2015, sec 2.5). Jung viewed the ego as conscious, personal unconscious was made of memories, both those aware of and unaware of, and the collective unconscious was experiences or knowledge that one was born with based on their cultural and societal norms. Jung also believed that personality, or persona was developed by an individual consciously based on who they want to be and who society says that they should be (Lecci, 2015).

Another large difference among Jung and Freud was their beliefs regarding sexuality and sexual behaviors. Freud believed that sexuality was the reasoning for all behaviors while Jung believed sexuality was a manifested behavior of ones personal behavior or choices (not the sole reason for ones behavior). Freud would also commonly refer to the mind as a machine which a mechanical system, while Jung viewed the mind as more complex and individualized vs. a machine (Ekstrom, 2018).

Based on the two theories I would have to say I agree most with Jung vs. Freud. Jung views the mind and personality based on the mind as more individualized vs. Freud. Freud views that all individuals act based on sexual desires and aggression and I think that is a quite outdated belief. Although we as humans have those desires and impulses within us, I do not think that every human acts and bases their personalities on these two areas. I also find Jung’s views on personality (now Myers-Briggs inventory) as very accurate and interesting as it identifies individuals in much more complex ways vs. the mechanical view that Freud has of personality and actions.

References

Ekstrom, S. (2018). Freud, Jung and The Great Chain of Being. Journal of Analytical Psychology, 63(4), 462–483.

https://doi-org.proxy-library.ashford.edu/10.1111/1468-5922.12429 (Links to an external site.)

Lecci, L. B. (2015). Personality. Retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu