Freud and Jung

How did Freud and Jung differ in their approach to personality?

Initially, Freud and Jung agreed on their approach to personality, but later, Jung broke with Freud and developed his own independent ideas. Where they differed was in how much of a role sexuality played in analysis, and that is what finally split up the two psychiatrists. Jung went on to form his own brand of analysis -- "rational theology" which was based on spirituality rather than sexuality. He had supported Freud in the beginning, but in the end the two approaches were so different that the men split and did not support each other again, and it was the very sexual nature of Freud's theories that bothered Jung and drove him to create his own theories and ideas.

How did Freud and Jung agree in their approach to psychology?

Freud and Jung agreed in the beginning, and Jung even helped promote psychoanalysis for a time. They both believed in the importance of psychoanalysis and in helping people discover what caused their problems, neuroses, and psychiatric difficulties. They both agreed that people needed to discuss their problems and that many problems stemmed from childhood encounters and family stress. They both agreed that personality and the unconscious were extremely important in getting to the root of people's problems.

3. What aspect of each psychologist's theories did you find most interesting?

I found it quite interesting that Freud was really the father of modern psychotherapy and analysis, especially using the couch and making people feel comfortable so they could talk about their problems. I also found his personality theory very interesting, and how he looked at the unconscious mind as the root of most psychological problems.

I found it very interesting that Jung developed the four-letter personality types that are used in many personality and leadership tests today, like INFP, etc. I did not know that he was the one to develop these personality types. My parents have taken the tests and talk about who they are, like ESFJ, and now I know more about what they are talking about.

References

Boeree, Dr. C. George. "Carl Jung." Shippensburg University. 1997. 29 July 2005.

< http://www.ship.edu/~cgboeree/jung.html

Boeree, Dr. C. George. "Sigmund Freud." Shippensburg University. 1997. 29 July 2005.

< http://www.ship.edu/~cgboeree/freud.html >