Jung's Theory of Analytical Psychology 1933 – Dreams and Symbols

Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung says:

"Your vision becomes clear only when you can look into your own heart. Those who look outside dream; those who look inside awaken."

Like Austrian physician Sigmund Freud, Jung emphasized the importance of unconscious mental processes in shaping human behavior and emotions. He encouraged his patients to discuss and draw images from their fantasies and dreams. In fact, Jung worked closely with Freud until 1912. While Freud focused on a psychosexual explanation of human behavior, Jung's approach was more spiritual and mystical.

Jung proposed that the unconscious has two layers:

1. The first layer, the personal unconscious, resembles Freud's: it contains material from our lives that has been forgotten or is difficult to access. 
2. The second layer is the collective unconscious, a realm of memories inherited from our ancestors. 

Jung called certain images and themes shared across cultures archetypes. He believed that they had a universal meaning for all humanity. According to Jung, these archetypes often appeared in dreams and became part of cultures through the use of symbols in myths, religion, art, and literature. In Jung's analytical psychology, individuals could increase their awareness by reflecting on such dream symbols. Jung also encouraged patients to draw pictures to relieve fear or anxiety.

Jung had many unusual ideas that had no direct impact on medical treatments. Many of his ideas may still be considered popular today. For example, he was one of the first people to consider the useful personality dimensions of extraversion and introversion. 

Description of the Article Image: Jung often encouraged patients to draw pictures of their dreams. According to Jung, these collections of images helped guide the way toward finding a peaceful place deep within the psyche and toward renewal.

Historical Figures Mentioned in This Article: Sigmund Freud (1856–1939), Carl Gustav Jung (1875–1961)

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