Carl J

ung &

perso

nality

theo

ry

Carl jung• Important and controversial

psychological theorist• Best known for his studies of the

human psyche, dream analysis, the collective unconscious and archetypes

• His work was primarily focused on establishing and developing a relationship between the conscious and unconscious processes of the human psyche

Individuation

• Jung’s term for the process of establishing a connection

between the ego and the self:

• Ego - the center of consciousness

• Self – the center of the total psyche, including both

conscious and unconscious processes

• Constant interplay between the two; inextricable parts of a

single system

• Jung believed that integrating all aspects of the psyche

would lead to the wholeness of a person

The conscious mind

• “the ego”• Composed of various perceptions,

memories, sensations and feelings

The Unconscious Mind• Where most of the work of the mind gets done• The repository of automatic skills (ex: riding a

bike)• The source of intuition and dreams and the

engine of information processing• Can be the source of hidden beliefs, fears, and

attitudes that can interfere with everyday life• Most forms of psychotherapy aim to bring into

conscious awareness many of these hidden hindrances, so that we can examine them and choose how to deal with them

Jung and Personality Types• Jung developed the theory that each individual has a personality

type.

• He believed that personality preferences are an innate inborn

predisposition

• He also recognized that our preferences interact with and are

shaped by environmental influences: family, country, education,

etc.

• His theories have been worked on by contemporary psychologists

to create personality typing inventories and tests.

• Personality typing is a tool with many uses, especially notable for

its helpfulness in the areas of growth and personal development.

THE BIG IDEADevelopment and applications of

psychologicalpersonality types are founded on the idea

thatbeing self-aware of your type can help you:

• Appreciate your own strengths, gifts, areas of need, and potential

• Help you understand and appreciate how other people may differ from you

Isabel Myers and Kathryn Briggs

• Were fascinated by Jung’s theories on personality types

• Believed that an understanding and appreciation of individual differences would result in enhanced harmony and productivity in diverse groups

• Developed the MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator), which is used worldwide by governments, business, military, and other organizations for professional and personal development purposes

The MBTI• An indicator – NOT a test

• Forced-choice questions

• No right or wrong answers

• There are no good or bad types – all types have some natural strengths and some possible pitfalls/blind spots

Activity• Go to: www.humanmetrics.com

• Take the “Jung Typology Test”

• As you answer the questions:

• Think of what you prefer when you do not have outside

pressures to behave in a particular way

• Think of yourself, outside of the the roles you play at

work or in personal life

• Record your results in detail (taking a picture might

be a good idea)

YOUR RESULTS

• The MBTI examines four sets of opposites:

Extraversion or Introversion

Sensing or iNtuition

Thinking or Feeling

Judging or Perceiving

• Like our right and left hands, we all use both sides, but one is our natural preference