JUNG’S

THEORIES
OF
PERSONALITY
Jung’s theory divided the human mind into three parts:
• The Ego
• The Personal Unconscious
• The Collective Unconscious
Ego: Jung defines this as the unconscious mind

The Personal Unconscious: Anything that is not presently conscious, but can be. It
includes both memories that are easily brought to mind and those that have been
repressed for some reason.

The Collective Unconscious: This refers to our “Psychic Inheritance”. The reservoir of our
experiences as a species, a kind of knowledge we are all born with (the collective
memories of the entire human race). We are not directly conscious of it but it influences all
our experiences and behaviours. According to Jung, this is who so many cultures have the
same symbols recurring in their myths, religion, art, and dreams. The common symbols are
referred to as archetypes.
 Archetypes
The content of the collective unconscious are called "Archetypes" •
Jung believed humans are not born "clean slates"which mean that
we came into this world with certain pre-dispositions that cause
behaviour. These behaviours were driven by archetypes or
archetypal behaviour.
The self
It represents the unified consciousness and unconsciousness of an
individual. It is the central organizing principle of the psyche.

Examples: religious symbols like the mandala, or the image of a wise old
person.
The Shadow:
The shadow represents the darker, unconscious aspects of the
personality that the individual does not acknowledge or integrate into
their conscious self. It often appears in dreams and fantasies.

Examples: villains in stories, anti-heroes, or aspects of oneself that are

repressed or denied.
The Persona:
The persona is the social mask or facade that individuals present to the
outside world. It represents the role a person plays in society and may
not accurately reflect their true self.

Examples: celebrities, politicians, or the "professional" persona one

adopts at work.
The Anima/Animus:
The anima (in men) and animus (in women) represent the feminine and
masculine aspects of the psyche, respectively. They serve as mediators
between the conscious and unconscious and can appear in dreams as figures
of the opposite gender.

Examples: the femme fatale archetype in literature, or the wise sage figure.
The Hero:
The hero represents the individual's journey to overcome obstacles, both
external and internal, and achieve self-realization or fulfillment. Heroes
often embark on quests or face challenges to prove their worth.

Examples: mythological heroes like Hercules or modern heroes like Harry

Potter.
The Wise Old Man/Woman:
This archetype represents wisdom, knowledge, and guidance. It often
appears as a mentor figure who provides advice and support to the hero on
their journey.

Examples: Yoda in Star Wars, Dumbledore in Harry Potter

The Trickster:
The trickster is a mischievous figure who disrupts the status quo and
challenges conventions. While often portrayed negatively, the trickster can
also bring about positive change or enlightenment through their antics

.Examples: Loki in Norse mythology, Bugs Bunny in cartoons.

The Mother:
The mother archetype represents nurturing, unconditional love, and fertility.
It can manifest as both literal mothers and symbolic figures who provide
care and protection.

Examples: Mother Mary in Christianity, Demeter in Greek mythology.

The Father:
The father archetype embodies authority, discipline, and protection. It
represents the paternal principle and can manifest as both literal fathers and
symbolic figures of authority.

Examples: God the Father in Christianity, Zeus in Greek mythology.

Individuation:
The process of integrating the conscious and unconscious aspects of the psyche.
Involves developing a unique and unified sense of self.
Leads to personal growth, self-realization, and a greater understanding of one's true identity.

Integration:
Recognizing and reconciling the opposing forces within the psyche, such as the persona and the
shadow.
Achieving balance and harmony between conscious and unconscious elements.
Facilitates the individuation process and promotes psychological wholeness.

Self-realization:
Attaining a deep sense of purpose, meaning, and authenticity.
Involves embracing one's inner potential and living in accordance with one's true nature.
Leads to a fulfilling and meaningful life aligned with one's inner values and aspirations.
 Introversion
Orientation towards the internal world: Introverts tend to
direct their energy and attention inward, towards their own
thoughts, feelings, and inner experiences. They often have a
rich inner world and may spend more time reflecting and
introspecting.
Recharging through solitude: Introverts typically feel drained
by excessive social interaction and external stimulation. They
need time alone to recharge their energy and process their
thoughts and emotions.
Preference for depth and reflection: Introverts are often
described as reflective, introspective, and deep thinkers. They
may prefer solitary activities such as reading, writing, or
contemplation.
Internal dialogue and reflection: Introverts may engage in
extensive internal dialogue and reflection before making
decisions or taking action. They may prefer to process
information internally before sharing it with others.
Extroversion
Orientation towards the external world: Extraverts tend to
focus their energy and attention outward, towards the
external environment. They are often more interested in
people, objects, events, and experiences outside of
themselves.
Gaining energy from external stimuli: Extraverts typically
feel energized and invigorated by social interactions, new
experiences, and external stimulation. They may seek out
social gatherings, parties, and group activities to recharge.
Preference for action and engagement: Extraverts are often
described as outgoing, sociable, and action-oriented. They
enjoy interacting with others, participating in group
discussions, and taking an active role in their environment.
Thinking out loud: Extraverts may be more likely to express
their thoughts, feelings, and ideas verbally and engage in
external dialogue to process information and make
decisions.
 Practical Applications
Therapy: Jungian therapy focuses on exploring the unconscious mind,
working with dreams, and uncovering the symbolic meaning behind
psychological issues.
Personality assessment: Jung's theories have influenced personality
assessment tools such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI),
which is based on Jung's ideas about personality types.
Creativity and symbolism: Jung's concepts of archetypes and the
collective unconscious have inspired artists, writers, and filmmakers to
explore universal themes and symbols in their work.