Jungian Reading Log Essay Example for Free

Jungian Reading Log Essay Both Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud are considered founders and contributors to the depth of knowledge and theory that built up psychological schools (Charet, 2000). However, Freud and Jung must not be associated with each other, as Jung made a point of rejecting the psychoanalytic community (Charet, 2000). This is due to his clear and expressed spiritual inclinations (Charet, 2000). Jung was initially part of a major triumvirate in the field of psychology, with the other two members being Sigmund Freud and Alfred Adler (Charet, 2000). However, Jung was easily separated from the other two due to his spiritual inclinations (Charet, 2000). Below are reading logs of three journal articles that discuss Jung and his theory. Stephens, B. D. (1999). The return of the prodigal: the emergence of Jungian themes in post-Freudian thought. Journal of Analytic Psychology 44, 197-220. This journal article analyzes the appearance and intertwining of two psychological principles that have been considered contradictory for the longest time (Stephens, 1999). This paper begins by the position that theories are only stories about reality of life, and they are told by people who have an opinion about how it occurs (Stephens, 1999). This article also alludes to the process of psychological story telling, which is characterized by patterns of fusion and eruption (Stephens, 1999). Freud and Jungs break in psychological theorizing occurred as far back as 1913; (Stephens, 1999). However, it is observed that these last few years had been witness to the dramatic increase in the degree of interaction between the Jungian and Freudian communities (Stephens, 1999). This theoretical and clinical interaction between the theories is found in cross-references seen in psychoanalytic journals and Jungian authors (Stephens, 1999). Stephens claims that this interaction calls for the re-examination of established theoretical assumptions and positions that would allow for the conduct of a meaningful dialogue (1999). At the same time, there are some whose position is that the emerging cross-fertilization of theories may ring about anxiety and fear, caused by being exposed tot he unknown (Stephens, 1999). Stephen relates that Jungs thoughts on reality have consistently moved, since 1913, towards being circumscribed in the subjectivist stance (1999). He engaged in the epistemological assumption that his only certainty is his personal knowledge of the inner world (Stephens, 1999). Jung participated in the formulation of the concepts called the-patient-in-the-analyst and the analytic couple (Stephens, 1999). Jung espoused the theory of mutual consciousness, wherein the patient constellates the corresponding unconscious material in the analyst (Stephens, 1999). This, in turn, leads into the inductive and reciprocal effects of this inter-penetrating psychic system (Stephens, 1999). There are some positions that post-Freudian literature is now incorporating theories from Jung, making the division between the theories of Freud and Jung disappear (Stephens, 1999). Stephens accepts the possibility that at the analytical level, these two disparate theories might come to an agreement (Stephens, 1999). However, such unification of two divergent theories is still far from becoming a total reality (Stephens, 1999). Personally and professionally, I agree in the integration of several constructs in order to create a more comprehensive take on any matter, provided that such integration is warranted by findings. Here, there are relevant stories yet to be shown, that could prove that narratives of Jung and Freud could actually meet on an agreeable plane. Morey, J. R. (2005). Winnicotts splitting headache: considering the gap between Jungian and object relations concepts. Journal of Analytic Psychology 50, 333-350. Morey follows in the steps of Stephens in tracing and observing the trend where Jung is attempted to be introduced into the broader psychoanalytic perspective, cognitive science and other academic agendas (Morey, 2005). Indeed, there are many theories that appear to be offshoots of Jungs theories, while at the same time there are also projects that are found to have been integrated into the Jungian literature Morey, J. R. (2005). Morey enumerates some examples, such as the work of Wilkinson on the mind-brain relationship and David Bradfords interest in the neuropsychology of the self, relating Wilder Penfields thoughts to Jungs theories (2005). These projects, characterized by the integration of others theories with those of Jungs, and vice versa, are results of the post-modern current (Morey, 2005). This current is observed to occur as a large pluralistic, multi-cultural dialogue that pervades different venues of culture, society, and science (Morey, 2005). This post-modern current is significantly intertwined with the process of deconstruction, where a theory, or a unitary construct is examined and torn apart, in order to being out disparate constructs that could be used, compared, and combined with other constructs in order to form a new theory (Morey, 2005). While generally, the trend with respect to Jungian psychology is that of sequestration and limitation to close followers, lately a noticeable shift in this tendency is observed and appreciated, and Jungian interpretive methods have been applied beyond the field of analytical psychology (Morey, 2005). Moreover, this process of integration is keeping up its pace with the passing of time (Morey, 2005). However, Morey cautions that the speed of theory integration might cause the loss of several fundamental qualities of Jungs thoughts (Morey, 2005). Moreys article explains in detail how Winnicott, one of the most identifiable innovators of theories on object relations, attempted to understand and apply Jungs thoughts, while at the same time trying to initiate change (Morey, 2005). Morey appreciates such an effort, because he states it allows the possibility of looking more deeply into the way that theories come together o, and vice versa (2005). He is of the position that explorations such as Winnicotts could lead to the discovery of further points of contact between Jungs thoughts and the larger psychoanalytic community (Morey, 2005). Moreover, he provides that there are also many other theories that could provide more links towards further understanding the relationship of Jungs theories to those of others (Morey, 2005). Similar to the first article, Morey describes the integration of Jung’s theories on others’, and vice versa. I am in favor of the process of deconstruction in general, and in particular when applied to psychology. I also agree with Morey that there is a need to be cautious that the process of deconstruction does not unnecessarily lose important concepts.