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Jungian Psychology in Perspective
Jungian Psychology in Perspective is a systematic, empirically based survey of Analytical Psychology - from the component and dynamics of the psyche to the psychic integration Jung called individuation. In addition to applying these concepts to personal, sexual, social, political, and other issues, Mary Ann Mattoon for the first time evaluates Jung's contributions against the evidence and suggests testable hypotheses for future research.
- GenresPsychology
352 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1981
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 26, 2008
For anyone interested in Jungian Psychology, but doesn't know where to go to get the most comprehensive outline of Jung's ideas, this is it. She outlines Jung's thoughts (as well as Jungian and neo-Jungian takes on Jung's thoughts) very thoroughly and orderly - presenting Jung's ideas in a very approachable way. A very good read. However, not nearly as fun or flowery as Jung himself would have written.
March 3, 2011
a good intro to jungian psychology, but i'd like to read something a little more up-to-date.
September 11, 2024
A JUNGIAN ANALYST SUMMARIZES JUNG'S PSYCHOLOGICAL IDEAS
At the time this book was published in 1981, Mary Ann Mattoon was a practicing Jungian analyst; she has also written 'Understanding Dreams,' 'Jung and the Human Psyche: An Understandable Introduction,' 'Jungian Psychology After Jung,' etc.
She wrote in the Preface, "Jung produced a great body of writing during his lifetime. Unfortunately, much of it is difficult for many people to read... My point of view combines the Jungian clinical approach and the empirical approach of academic psychology: those of a Jungian analyst, trained at the C.G. Jung Institute of Zurich... and an academic psychologist ... the combination of these two approaches has strengthened my appreciation of the capacity of Jungian psychology to lead to a profound understanding of the human psyche." (Pg. xi-xii)
She notes, "Jung's openness to new ideas reflected the nondogmatism that is expressed in his oft-quoted statement, 'I am not a Jungian.'" (Pg. 7) Later, she states, "Despite all the problems, it seems clear that the concept of synchronicity is valuable as a daring attempt to explain certain phenomena for which no rational explanation is possible. Even persons who challenged experiences that aroused Jung's interest in and sustained his conviction about synchronicity could not entirely discount the possibility of the phenomenon." (Pg. 149)
She points out, "empirical support for Jung's theory of the collective unconscious is found in the fact that people in different parts of the world who were not in communication with each other 'invented' the same artifacts. One example is the pyramid, which was conceived of in such widely separated places as Egypt, Thailand, and Mexico." (Pg. 47)
She observes, "The concept of complexes was so central to Jung's ideas that, initially, he labeled his body of theories 'Complex Psychology.' ... 'Complex' and 'Jung' became so closely associated that even the inferiority complex, which was identified by Alfred Adler, has been thought by many people to be a discovery of Jung's. Historically, the term 'complex' originated with Theodore Ziehen, a German psychiatrist... Although Jung did not originate the concept, he refined it and devoted considerable effort to the detection and analysis of complexes. This work led to the adoption of the term in general psychology." (Pg. 115)
She points out, "Jung had little to say on the subject of homosexuality. However, he hypothesized that in a male homosexual the heterosexual libido is tied up with the mother so that sex cannot be experienced with a woman. In such men masculinity is underdeveloped, that is, only partially conscious, hence, it tends to be projected, and the object of the projection is another man... Jung had even less to say about female homosexuality, but he seemed to assume that many female homosexuals seek the mother in the partner." (Pg. 222)
This is an excellent overview of Jung's thought, that will be of considerable interest to anyone studying him.
At the time this book was published in 1981, Mary Ann Mattoon was a practicing Jungian analyst; she has also written 'Understanding Dreams,' 'Jung and the Human Psyche: An Understandable Introduction,' 'Jungian Psychology After Jung,' etc.
She wrote in the Preface, "Jung produced a great body of writing during his lifetime. Unfortunately, much of it is difficult for many people to read... My point of view combines the Jungian clinical approach and the empirical approach of academic psychology: those of a Jungian analyst, trained at the C.G. Jung Institute of Zurich... and an academic psychologist ... the combination of these two approaches has strengthened my appreciation of the capacity of Jungian psychology to lead to a profound understanding of the human psyche." (Pg. xi-xii)
She notes, "Jung's openness to new ideas reflected the nondogmatism that is expressed in his oft-quoted statement, 'I am not a Jungian.'" (Pg. 7) Later, she states, "Despite all the problems, it seems clear that the concept of synchronicity is valuable as a daring attempt to explain certain phenomena for which no rational explanation is possible. Even persons who challenged experiences that aroused Jung's interest in and sustained his conviction about synchronicity could not entirely discount the possibility of the phenomenon." (Pg. 149)
She points out, "empirical support for Jung's theory of the collective unconscious is found in the fact that people in different parts of the world who were not in communication with each other 'invented' the same artifacts. One example is the pyramid, which was conceived of in such widely separated places as Egypt, Thailand, and Mexico." (Pg. 47)
She observes, "The concept of complexes was so central to Jung's ideas that, initially, he labeled his body of theories 'Complex Psychology.' ... 'Complex' and 'Jung' became so closely associated that even the inferiority complex, which was identified by Alfred Adler, has been thought by many people to be a discovery of Jung's. Historically, the term 'complex' originated with Theodore Ziehen, a German psychiatrist... Although Jung did not originate the concept, he refined it and devoted considerable effort to the detection and analysis of complexes. This work led to the adoption of the term in general psychology." (Pg. 115)
She points out, "Jung had little to say on the subject of homosexuality. However, he hypothesized that in a male homosexual the heterosexual libido is tied up with the mother so that sex cannot be experienced with a woman. In such men masculinity is underdeveloped, that is, only partially conscious, hence, it tends to be projected, and the object of the projection is another man... Jung had even less to say about female homosexuality, but he seemed to assume that many female homosexuals seek the mother in the partner." (Pg. 222)
This is an excellent overview of Jung's thought, that will be of considerable interest to anyone studying him.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews