C.G. Jung Typology. Introduction
In 1921, C.G. Jung released his best-selling book, “Psychological Types.” In his typology, C.G. Jung tried to answer two basic queries: firstly, what are the components of the human apparatus?; and secondly, how do people use these elements differently to determine how they adjust to reality?
Based on his studies, Jung made the assumption that all individuals have a similar psychological basis for internal and outward perception. C.G. Jung typology proposes the existence of two attitudes and four functions. The two primary attitudes are extraversion and introversion. Jung divided the functions into non-rational: sensation and intuition, and rational: thinking and feeling. The combination of the primary functions and attitudes creates eight psychological types with fluid borders between them.
In the process of creating the idea of psychological types, he realized a crucial point: that total objectivity is impossible. Psychologists’ “personal equations” have an impact on everyone else, and bias will unavoidably taint their findings. Even in physics, scientists have an impact on the phenomena they observe. In the study of human psychology, this effect is considerably more noticeable.
C.G. Jung. A Short Biography
Carl Gustav Jung, along with Freud and Adler, was the pioneer of analytical psychology. The son of a rural pastor, Jung was born on July 26, 1875, in Switzerland. Already as a child, he showed extraordinary sensitivity for introspection. In his childhood, he lived in a rural parish, living a solitary life isolated from his peers. Not having pears to interact with, he read books from his father’s collection, such as works by Goethe, Schiller, Shakespeare, Nietzsche, and Kant, which were considered too difficult for a boy of his age.
Jung started his medical studies in Basel in 1895. In 1900, he commenced his work at the Burghölzli psychiatric hospital in Zurich under the renowned psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler. It was around this period that he came upon the writings of Sigmund Freud.
During his work at Burghölzli, Jung modified the Word Association Experiment. The results of this experiment laid the first foundation for the empirical validation of Freud’s psychoanalytic theory.
Jung met Freud in 1907 in Vienna, which imitated friendship and fruitful cooperation. The friendship with Freud came to an end in 1912 after Jung presented a different view on the libido, the “life energy,” which differed from Freud’s psychoanalytical theory.
Since then, Jung has established his own school of thought. In opposition to Freud’s psychoanalysis, Jung called his psychotherapy method “analytical psychology.”
The History of Typology
From ancient times to the present, many typologies have been developed. Interestingly, these typologies created four separate categories to describe different types of human personalities.
Earth, air, fire, and water make up the tetrad of elements introduced in the fifth century BC by the Greek philosopher Empedocles. Likewise, throughout the same historical period, four fundamental attributes were distinguished: hot, cold, wet, and dry. Hippocrates’ four humours and Aristotle’s four blood kinds followed the same pattern.
Kretschmer’s “Physic and Character” (1921) and Rorschach’s “Theory of Types” (1921) offer modern interpretations of these ancient classification systems.
C.G. Jung Typology and Its Development
In 1909, Jung established his private practice at Lake Zurich, treating a variety of psychological illnesses. At that time, he was already a famous therapist, well known in Europe and the US. His patients belonged to the upper class of society. Among them was John D. Rockefeller’s daughter, Edith McCormick. She was so fascinated by Jung’s personality and knowledge that, in 1916, she founded the Psychological Club Zurich to create a solid scientific base to popularize Jungian psychology.
Though Jung had long entertained the idea of psychological types, after the foundation of the Zurich Club, his ideas took shape. The degree to which other notable club members can take credit for this is unknown; there was a substantial exchange of ideas with Basel psychiatrist Hans Schmid, who was developing a related theory.
Introversion and Extroversion
“Psychological Types” added to Jung’s popularity, especially among the broader group of readers not necessarily belonging to the small scientific circle of analytical psychology.
Jung’s typology helps to explain human attitudes toward oneself and the outside world. Jung introduced the terms “introversion” and “extraversion,” describing individuals inward- or outward orientation. These two attitudes describe people’s orientation towards themselves and the external world. In introverts, the libido, the psychic energy, is directed inwardly; in extraverts, the libido flows to the external world.
Jung’s typology helps us understand the dynamic nature of the human psyche as an interplay between extraversion and introversion, reason and irrationality.
Four Psychological Functions
C.G. Jung proposed in his typology the existence of four basic psychic functions: thinking, feeling, sensation, and intuition. Jung considered thinking and feeling rational functions in contrast to irrational functions, sensation, and intuition. The psychic functions explain how a person interprets psychic or sensory information in their consciousness.
Thinking: given that the universe is logically ordered in some respects (causality, space, and time), thinking is a biological adaptation to the logical component of the world.
Feeling is a judgment-making function. It tells the individual if something is pleasant or unpleasant, beautiful or ugly, desirable or undesirable. The feeling relies on past experiences, which makes it rational.
Sensation is related to the subjective, irrational function of how sensory information is processed in people’s consciousness.
Intuition is a kind of instinctive, irrational judgment in a particular situation. The causally based science considers intuition as non-scientific and esoteric.
Combining two attitudes, extraversion and introversion, with the four functions, Jung described eight personality types. One of these functions usually predominates in most people, which means the ego strongly identifies with it. The other functions may be neglected or even atrophied over time, but the dominant function is more highly differentiated.
Introversion in Technocratic Society
The difference between introverted and extraverted personality types has long piqued the interest of intellectuals. It appears in debates about philosophy from antiquity to the Middle Ages.
An objective and scientifically oriented approach greatly supports the extraverted mindset in today’s society. On the other hand, introverted people, with their “irrational” traits such as intuition and sensation, are perceived as less valuable.
Jung’s analysis of these introverted function types draws attention to their special traits as well as the difficulties they encounter in a culture that prizes extroversion and objectivity. Nevertheless, it’s important to understand, that various kinds are distinct and complimentary rather than inferior. They provide a vital counterbalance to the dominant social norms, adding to the tension that is important for both social stability and personal development.
C.G. Jung Typology. Summary
Jung’s “Psychological Types” delineated two fundamental psychological orientations: extraversion and introversion. These orientations underpin individuals’ worldviews and self-perceptions, shaping their inclinations, preferences, attitudes, and opinions.
“Extraversion” implies outward-directed psychic energy, whereas “introversion” denotes energy drawn inward. Additionally, Jung described four psychological functions: thinking, feeling, sensation, and intuition. Combining two attitudes and the four functions, he distinguished eight personality types.
In terms of methodology, “Psychological Types” opposes Jung’s competitors, Freud and Adler. Their psychology follows a reductionist approach, aiming to trace psychic contents back to underlying physical motives. Jung, conversely, posits that the psyche is its own author, expressing itself.
Jung’s psychology challenges the notion that all individuals are born equal, shaped solely by societal influences. Jung’s concept of psychological types found resistance in academic psychology due to a lack of evidence-proven facts. The other obstacle to recognizing typology as an internal part of academic psychology is the use of terms such as intuition, which are considered non-scientific.
Nevertheless, C.G. Jung typology remains relevant. The Maier-Bricks Test, based on Jungian psychology, is used for the evaluation of candidates destined for responsible positions or by choosing the most suitable professional careers.