Carl Jung’s Personality Theories, Essay Example

Introduction

The field of psychology has continuously evolved over the years.  Since the creation of the field of psychology, theories and concepts have been introduced and advanced in order to fit current times and new revelations within the world.  Some theories pass rather quickly while notable ones withstand time, criticism, and new theories.  The concepts and theories of Carl Jung have had a profound impact on the field of psychology and understanding individual personality types.

Jung’s Personality Theories

Early psychologist, Carl Jung is vastly known for his theories and contributions to the subject of personality. According to Jung’s theory of psychological types, when a person’s mind is lively and the individual is alert, that person alternates from taking in information and building choices in the inner and outer worlds(Friedman & Schustack, 2012).  He formed these prototypes through merging opposite couples of attitudes and functions. “Jung described these eight different patterns in his book entitled Psychological Types through characterizations of people who habitually prefer one pattern over another – his ‘eight types.’ Jung’s eight types are the roots of the well known 16 MBTI types” (Carl Jung and Psychological Types, 2012).

The initial duo of opposites Jung keyed is in relation to how individuals adjust and familiarize themselves to the world. Extraversion and Introversion are terms that describe this part of his theory.  Extraversion simply depicts that people’s preferences move in the direction of other people, places and things in the outer world. Conversely, introversion is a term meaning that people’s liveliness draws in the direction of the world inside of people, a person’s inner world of thoughts and ideas.  “Jung believed that our orientation to the world was a foundational aspect of our personality. Our preferred energy attitude is such an elemental part of one’s personality that the two ways of being become obvious, even to the layman, when pointed out” (Carl Jung and Psychological Types, 2012).

Furthermore, Jung realized that a person’s inclination for outer world or inner world could not be the only reason for the vast behavioral differences he noticed among the human race.  Because of this, he recognized mental functions all individuals use to receive information or perceive(Friedman & Schustack, 2012). As humans, people either use what is called sensing perception or intuitive perception.  Sensing perception is the process of gathering solid data by using the five senses.  On the contrary, intuitive perception, or intuition, refers to the course people take to make connections and conclude meanings past sensory data (Carl Jung and Psychological Types, 2012).

Jung also named two different mental functions humans use to assess information or make decisions referred to as the judging functions of thinking and feeling.  Thinking judgment involves assessing information by relating objective and rational criteria.  On the other hand, feeling judgment is the method people use for assessing information by taking into account what is considered important to the self and others directly affected.Jung determined that people have a natural tendency to prefer one of the four functions over the others. Individuals prefer putting into action one perceiving function of sensing or intuition over judging functions. Or people are merely more comfortable using one judging function of thinking or feeling over perceiving functions (Carl Jung and Psychological Types, 2012).

“The four functions (Sensing, Intuition, Thinking, and Feeling) with the two attitudes (Extraversion and Introversion) combine to create the eight Jungian mental processes (also known as function-attitudes), which Jung called his ‘eight types.’ These eight mental processes form the core of Jung’s theory of psychological types; these are the processes that we call upon to navigate in and adapt to the world” (Carl Jung and Psychological Types, 2012).

Developed in 1981, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, also known as the MBTI, is solely based on Jung’s ideas about perception and judgment, and the attitudes of different types of people. This test is a great example of how Carl Jung’s theories are implemented in the world of psychology today (ZIPKIN, 1999).  The aim of the MBTI is to recognize, by self-report of effortlessly familiar reactions, the fundamental preferences of people in consideration to perception and judgment, so the effects of every preference can be recognized by examination and put into use.

My personality and Life Choices

When we comprehend and recognize personality differences and preferences, we are more inclined to appreciate variations and diversity between ourselves and the people around us such as spousal partners, kids, co-workers, and friends. Knowledge of personality types and developmental theories allow us to see differences as merely diverse ways of viewing things and circumstances. For example, I am an introverted person and I tend to be most comfortable in solitary activities. However, it does not mean that I cannot function around other people.  My preferences just tend to lean toward quiet and small scaled situations.  I can however, appreciate and understand the need for others to be around others.  For example, my best friend functions well in large groups, and enjoys consuming her time with the company of others.

Limitations

The theories of Jung and his successors do not go without criticism.  Although used quite frequently (especially in the work place), the MBTI is not recognized as scientifically valid.  The largest criticism of the theories is that they are based solely on binary choices.  There is no room for anything or anyone in between.

Although individuals cannot be 100 percent extroverted or 100 percent introverted, humans do lean in one direction or the other – which is exactly what these theories measure.

Conclusion

The concepts and theories of Carl Jung have had a profound impact on the field of psychology.  Theories of Carl Jung are used in order to understand personality and today certain professionals use the MBTI to implement Jung’s personality theories and apply them to everyday life.  I personally have a much better understanding of how I operate in the world around me.  I even appreciate and understand the differences among individuals in my life.  Although there are criticisms and limitations, as with any science, Jung’s theories and the MBTI are helpful and useful tools.

References

About the MBTI Instrument. (2014, April 25). Retrieved from Center for Applications of Psychological Type: http://www.capt.org/mbti-assessment/mbti-overview.htm

Carl Jung and Psychological Types. (2014, April 25). Retrieved from MBTI Type Today: http://mbtitoday.org/carl-jung-psychological-type/

Personality Test. (2014, April 25). Retrieved from Personality Test: www.personalitytest.net/types/index.htm

Psychological Type and Relationships. (2014, April 25). Retrieved from The Myers and Briggs          Foundation: http://www.myersbriggs.org/type-use-for-everyday-life/psychological-type-and-relationships/

Campbell, J. (1971). Carl Jung The Relations Between the Ego and the Unconscious. New York: Viking Press.

Carlson, H. (2010). Personality. In Psychology the Science of Behavior (p. 434). New York: Pearson.

ZIPKIN, A. (1999, November 7). In Theory: The Teachings of Carl Jung. The New York Times.