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The Cultural Complex
How do cultural complexes affect the collective psyche?
Based on Jung's theory of complexes, this book offers a new perspective on the psychological nature of conflicts between groups and cultures by introducing the concept of the cultural complex. This modern version of Jung's idea offers an original view of the forces that prevent human attempts to bring a peaceful, collaborative spirit to conflict between groups.
Leading analysts and academics from a range of cultural backgrounds present their own perspective on the concept, demonstrating how the effects of cultural complexes can be felt in the behaviour of disenfranchised, oppressed and traumatised groups across the world. Ultimately, a clearer understanding of the source and nature of group conflict is reached through discussion of central subjects
* Collective trauma and cultural complexes
* Exploring a clinical example of a cultural complex
* Cultural complexes in the history of Jung, Freud and their followers.
The Cultural Complex represents a valuable contribution to analytical psychology and will undoubtedly also stimulate dialogue in the fields of sociology, political science and cultural studies.
Based on Jung's theory of complexes, this book offers a new perspective on the psychological nature of conflicts between groups and cultures by introducing the concept of the cultural complex. This modern version of Jung's idea offers an original view of the forces that prevent human attempts to bring a peaceful, collaborative spirit to conflict between groups.
Leading analysts and academics from a range of cultural backgrounds present their own perspective on the concept, demonstrating how the effects of cultural complexes can be felt in the behaviour of disenfranchised, oppressed and traumatised groups across the world. Ultimately, a clearer understanding of the source and nature of group conflict is reached through discussion of central subjects
* Collective trauma and cultural complexes
* Exploring a clinical example of a cultural complex
* Cultural complexes in the history of Jung, Freud and their followers.
The Cultural Complex represents a valuable contribution to analytical psychology and will undoubtedly also stimulate dialogue in the fields of sociology, political science and cultural studies.
- GenresPsychology
296 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2004
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June 8, 2025
Two points worth noting down: First, the "cultural level of the psyche," explained by the author, was introduced by Joseph Henderson as a "theoretical space between the personal and archetypal levels of the psyche." Second, "Cultural complex dynamics operate at the group level of the psyche of the individual and within the dynamic field of group life."
These concepts are valuable in bringing in "a new perspective on the psychological nature of conflicts between groups and cultures." They're also helpful at the personal level as they can serve as an anchor when one is confronted by unexpected phenomena arising from encounters between different groups.
In recent years, people around the globe are experiencing more problems that are believed to be caused by globalization. Newspapers are bewildered as to why democracy seems to decline, why the global economic ecosystem fails to bring China along, and why there is no end in sight of violent conflicts between neighboring countries.
Plato believes the best ruler should be a "philosopher king," while the last essay in the current book imagines an ideal leader in the Americas to be "a more psychologically integrated and balanced type." If "the collective psyche has something other in mind than one-sided aggressiveness, heroic action and masculine prowess," perhaps it's (at least for now) overshadowed by the archetypal defense of group identity in the form of extreme nationalism.
If we think about "a politics of individuation" analogous to the individual development or personal individuation, could it be that the opposites to unite are "globalness" and "localness"? Certainly, there is no globalness without localness.
These concepts are valuable in bringing in "a new perspective on the psychological nature of conflicts between groups and cultures." They're also helpful at the personal level as they can serve as an anchor when one is confronted by unexpected phenomena arising from encounters between different groups.
In recent years, people around the globe are experiencing more problems that are believed to be caused by globalization. Newspapers are bewildered as to why democracy seems to decline, why the global economic ecosystem fails to bring China along, and why there is no end in sight of violent conflicts between neighboring countries.
Plato believes the best ruler should be a "philosopher king," while the last essay in the current book imagines an ideal leader in the Americas to be "a more psychologically integrated and balanced type." If "the collective psyche has something other in mind than one-sided aggressiveness, heroic action and masculine prowess," perhaps it's (at least for now) overshadowed by the archetypal defense of group identity in the form of extreme nationalism.
If we think about "a politics of individuation" analogous to the individual development or personal individuation, could it be that the opposites to unite are "globalness" and "localness"? Certainly, there is no globalness without localness.
Displaying 1 of 1 review