How did Jung’s analytical psychology differ from Freudian psychoanalysis?
Carl Jung was once declared as the successor of Freud; however, their friendship soon disintegrated, and Carl Jung developed his own theory of analytical psychology. Jung was brought up in the northern Switzerland. Jung became familiar with Freud’s work. However, he was not able to stand his dominance because of pat experiences with the father-like figure. Later he became the president of the Psychoanalytic association.
At the age of 38 he became emotionally distressed and was unable to carry on the intellectual work. He resolved these disorders by facing his own unconscious thoughts. The life experiences of Jung later affected the analytical psychology. He preferred his unconscious dreams to pursue a profession. Later he developed his own theory on sex and never restrained himself like Freud.
He used to enjoy the company of women instead of men. He always uses to surround himself with pretty female disciples and patients. He developed no inhibitions, insecurities or anxieties about sex. He used to warn his female disciplines that eventually they would fall in love with him. According to Jung, sex played minimal role in shaping the personality of an individual just because he did not hesitate in fulfilling his desire.
However, Freud’s main focus was on sex and hence, he considered that the basic biological instinct is required to condition the individual’s personality. As a child he always referred solitude over the company of others. However, Freud’s childhood was not so introvert. Another difference in their psychoanalysis was the consideration of libido.
According to Freud, libido was just a force to fulfill sexual desire; however, according to Jung it is a generalized energy of life and sex is just a small part of it. Another difference that reflected in their work was the direction in which the personality is developed. Freud considered that the childhood incidents shape our personality; however, according to Jung, not only the childhood instances, but also our goals of life, our aspirations, hopes and desires shape contribute in shaping our personality as well.