Freud And Jung Comparison

Freud and Jung were said to be two of the most influential and well known psychotherapists throughout history. Their concepts and ideas have heavily shaped our existing knowledge of Psychology. Although both agreed on some aspects of psychotherapy, features of their theories and views were contrasting, particularly with regards to the unconscious mind and dream analysis, two of the many topics discussed by both theorists. These will be compared/ contrasted within the main body of the essay, as well as divulging into the practical applications of their work today. When making comparisons between the two it is evident that similarities are displayed in their work, this can be explained using their historical background. Maltby, Day and Macaskill (2013) stated that after Jung wrote a book on psychoanalytic treatment, Freud contacted him, inviting him to meet in Vienna, Austria, to discuss their common interests. The pair quickly developed a strong bond and stayed in contact
(Maltby et al., 2013) The personal unconscious seems to be like that of the unconscious Freud spoke about. This is composed of painful repressed material, as well as instinctual and primitive drives that are not always suitable for the conscious mind. (Maltby et al., 2013) The main difference between the models is that Jung believes we have a collective unconscious. He stated that all humans have archetypes, meaning they structure certain experiences, events and emotions in the same way. (Cann & Donderi, 1986) Jung stated this is derived from ancestral and evolutionary backgrounds and is universal in all humans. (Maltby et al., 2013) An example of this is the Anima, the female component of the male psyche. This is what all males will have and enables them to relate to females and form relationships. (Maltby et al.,