Jungian Psychology Glossary

Abaissement du Niveau Mental refers to a temporary lowering of the level of conscious mental functioning, a state where conscious defences are weakened, allowing unconscious material to emerge. This phenomenon is often associated with states of fatigue, relaxation, or altered consciousness, such as hypnosis or dreaming. Jung saw this as an important condition for accessing deeper layers of the psyche, where symbols, repressed emotions, and archetypal content can surface into awareness.

Abreaction is the process through which repressed emotions tied to a traumatic experience are released by reliving the original event. It involves a full re-experiencing of the event, often accompanied by intense emotional expression such as crying, anger, or fear. According to Jungian psychology, abreaction is not merely about catharsis but is also a step toward reintegrating fragmented aspects of the self and resolving internal conflicts.

Acting out refers to the expression of unconscious feelings or conflicts through impulsive actions rather than verbalisation or conscious reflection. This behaviour often bypasses conscious awareness, serving as a way to externalise internal struggles. Jungian analysts view acting out as an opportunity to uncover hidden emotional conflicts, as the behaviour often symbolises unresolved issues from the past.

Active imagination is a method developed by Jung to engage directly with unconscious material. It involves allowing images, symbols, or inner figures to arise spontaneously in the mind and then consciously interacting with them through dialogue, art, or writing. This technique bridges the gap between the conscious and unconscious, facilitating integration and self-awareness.

Adaptation in Jungian psychology refers to the process of adjusting to both external circumstances and internal psychological demands. Successful adaptation involves balancing individual needs and societal expectations while maintaining psychological integrity. Poor adaptation may lead to neuroses, as unresolved conflicts between internal and external pressures create disharmony.

The aetiology of neurosis in Jungian terms focuses on the underlying causes of neurotic symptoms, often rooted in conflicts between conscious attitudes and unconscious drives. These causes may include unresolved childhood trauma, repressed desires, or unintegrated archetypal influences. Jung emphasised the need to explore both personal and collective factors contributing to neurosis.

Affect refers to the emotional tone or feeling associated with a psychological experience or memory. In Jungian analysis, affects are seen as signals from the unconscious, often revealing areas of conflict or repressed content. Affects can manifest as intense emotions such as fear, joy, or anger, which may be disproportionate to the immediate situation.

Alchemy, in Jungian psychology, serves as a metaphor for the process of psychological transformation. Alchemical symbols, such as the philosopher’s stone or the transmutation of lead into gold, are seen as representations of the individuation process, where raw, unconscious elements are transformed into a state of psychological wholeness.

Using alchemical imagery helps clients conceptualise their personal growth and transformation. For instance, viewing their struggles as part of a “nigredo” (darkening) phase can provide a sense of purpose and hope for eventual renewal.

Amplification is a method in Jungian analysis for deepening the understanding of symbols or dream images by exploring their broader cultural, mythological, or archetypal associations. This technique connects personal experiences with universal themes, providing richer insight into the unconscious.

In Jungian psychology, analysis refers to the therapeutic process aimed at understanding and integrating unconscious material to promote personal growth and individuation. It involves methods such as dream interpretation, active imagination, and dialogue between the analyst and patient to explore inner conflicts and archetypal influences.

The relationship between the analyst and patient is a central aspect of Jungian therapy. The analyst acts as a guide, helping the patient explore their unconscious through dialogue and interpretation, while maintaining a dynamic relationship that reflects transference and countertransference processes.

A symbolic figure representing the integration of masculine and feminine aspects within the psyche. The androgyne is often seen as an archetype of wholeness and balance, transcending gender divisions and reflecting the unity of opposites.

The anima represents the unconscious feminine aspect within a man, shaped by his experiences with women and collective archetypal patterns. It influences creativity, emotion, and relationships and often appears in dreams or fantasies as a feminine figure.

The anima is the unconscious feminine side of a man, while the animus is the unconscious masculine side of a woman. These archetypes represent the complementary qualities of the psyche and are crucial in achieving psychological balance.

The animus is the unconscious masculine aspect within a woman, shaped by her experiences with men and collective archetypal patterns. It manifests through thought, logic, and often appears in dreams or fantasies as a masculine figure.

Anxiety, in Jungian terms, is a psychological state stemming from conflicts between conscious attitudes and unconscious drives. It often arises when the ego is overwhelmed by unconscious content or when unresolved inner conflicts surface.

Apperception refers to the process of consciously interpreting and integrating new information based on past experiences and unconscious influences. In Jungian terms, it reflects how the psyche assimilates external stimuli into its existing framework.

Archetypes are universal patterns or symbols inherent in the collective unconscious, shaping human behaviour, emotions, and experiences. They manifest in myths, dreams, and cultural narratives and include figures such as the Hero, the Shadow, and the Great Mother.

Association involves the spontaneous connection between thoughts, images, or feelings in response to a stimulus. In Jungian analysis, this method is used to uncover unconscious material linked to particular symbols or experiences.

In Jungian psychology, attitude refers to the orientation of the psyche toward the world, which can be conscious or unconscious. The two primary attitudes are extraversion, where energy is directed outward toward external objects, and introversion, where energy is focused inward toward subjective experience.

The body in Jungian psychology is not merely a physical vessel but an integral part of the psyche. It symbolises the connection between conscious and unconscious processes, often expressing repressed emotions or archetypal symbols through physical sensations or illness.

Carl Gustav Jung (1875–1961) was a Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst who founded analytical psychology. His work emphasised the importance of the collective unconscious, archetypes, and individuation in understanding the human psyche. Jung’s theories extended beyond clinical psychology, influencing art, religion, and culture.

Circumambulation refers to the process of moving metaphorically or symbolically around a central point, often used in Jungian analysis to describe the exploration of the Self. This involves revisiting themes, symbols, and experiences from different angles to gain deeper insight into the psyche.

In Jungian thought, "collective" refers to shared aspects of the psyche that transcend individual experience. This includes the collective unconscious, a repository of archetypes and universal symbols common to all humanity.

The collective unconscious is a foundational concept in Jungian psychology, describing a shared layer of the unconscious mind containing archetypes and universal patterns. It influences behaviour, dreams, and cultural expressions across all individuals.

Compensation refers to the unconscious balancing of conscious attitudes by providing complementary or opposing insights. When conscious attitudes are overly one-sided, the unconscious seeks to restore equilibrium through dreams, fantasies, or behaviour.

A complex is an emotionally charged group of thoughts, memories, and perceptions organised around a central theme, often rooted in unresolved conflicts. Complexes can influence behaviour and perception, often operating outside of conscious awareness, and are marked by affect whether a person is conscious of them or not.

Coniunctio is an alchemical term adopted by Jung to symbolise the union of opposites, such as conscious and unconscious, masculine and feminine, or spirit and matter. It represents the ultimate goal of individuation, where opposites are reconciled to achieve psychological wholeness.

Consciousness in Jungian psychology refers to the part of the psyche that is aware of itself and its surroundings. It is governed by the ego and interacts with the unconscious to form a dynamic relationship that shapes behaviour and perception.

Countertransference refers to the emotional responses and projections of the therapist toward the patient, often arising from the therapist’s own unconscious material. It reflects both personal reactions and the dynamics of the therapeutic relationship.

Culture in Jungian analysis encompasses the collective values, symbols, myths, and traditions that influence individual and societal behaviour. It is an expression of the collective unconscious and a reflection of shared archetypal patterns.

In Jungian psychology, cure is not merely the elimination of symptoms but achieving greater psychological integration and individuation. It involves addressing the root causes of distress and restoring balance between the conscious and unconscious.

The death instinct, or Thanatos, is a concept that Jung expanded upon from Freudian theory. It represents an unconscious drive toward destruction, regression, or a return to a state of non-being. Jung viewed this as a counterpart to the life instinct, Eros, and part of the natural cycle of creation and destruction.

Delusions are fixed beliefs that are disconnected from reality, often stemming from unconscious conflicts or archetypal inflation. In Jungian terms, delusions may represent an over-identification with an archetype or a defence against confronting the shadow.

Depression in Jungian psychology is often seen as a signal of unresolved inner conflicts or the loss of connection to one’s Self. It may arise when the ego is overwhelmed by unconscious material or when the individuation process is blocked.

Depth psychology is a field of psychology that focuses on exploring the unconscious aspects of the psyche, including repressed memories, archetypes, and symbolic imagery. It seeks to understand the deeper layers of human experience beyond conscious awareness.

Development in Jungian terms refers to the lifelong process of psychological growth and transformation, moving toward individuation. This involves integrating unconscious material, balancing archetypal influences, and evolving through various life stages.

Differentiation is the process of distinguishing and integrating distinct aspects of the psyche, such as the ego, shadow, and anima/animus. It is a key aspect of individuation, promoting self-awareness and psychological maturity.

Dissociation is the psychological separation of certain thoughts, feelings, or memories from conscious awareness. In Jungian terms, it is often a defence mechanism that arises from trauma or overwhelming unconscious content.

Dreams in Jungian psychology are messages from the unconscious, providing insight into the psyche’s hidden dynamics, unresolved conflicts, and archetypal influences. They often use symbolic language to convey their meaning. Jung viewed dreams as a natural compensatory mechanism, balancing conscious attitudes with unconscious content.

The ego is the centre of consciousness and personal identity, mediating between the internal psyche and external reality. In Jungian psychology, it plays a crucial role in maintaining a sense of stability while navigating the demands of the unconscious, society, and personal growth.

The ego-Self axis represents the dynamic relationship between the ego (conscious identity) and the Self (the totality of the psyche). This axis is essential for maintaining psychological equilibrium and enabling the individuation process. Disruptions in this relationship can result in neurosis or other psychological disturbances.

Enantiodromia is the principle that an extreme, one-sided psychological attitude will eventually give way to its opposite. Jung borrowed this concept from Heraclitus to describe the psyche’s natural tendency to seek balance by compensating for overemphasis in one direction.

In Jungian psychology, energy refers to the libido, which is the psychic force that drives psychological activities, desires, and growth. Unlike Freud’s focus on sexual energy, Jung viewed libido as a generalised life energy that fuels both conscious and unconscious processes.

Eros represents the archetypal principle of connection, love, and relatedness. In Jungian psychology, it is associated with the feminine and complements Logos, which represents reason and structure. Eros seeks to unify and harmonise relationships, both internally and externally.

Ethics in Jungian analysis involves the moral responsibility of both therapist and client in the therapeutic process. This includes maintaining boundaries, respecting the autonomy of the individual, and navigating the ethical dilemmas that arise when dealing with unconscious material.

In Jungian terms, evil is not merely a moral concept but a manifestation of the shadow or unintegrated aspects of the psyche. It represents the destructive potential of repressed or unconscious material when it is projected outward or acted upon.

Extraversion is an attitude type in Jungian psychology characterised by an outward orientation of energy toward the external world of people, objects, and activities. Extraverts tend to draw energy from social interaction and external engagement.

Extraverted feeling is a psychological function that prioritises harmony, social values, and interpersonal relationships. It seeks to connect with and adapt to external emotional environments, often valuing the needs of the group over individual preferences.