Difference between revisions of "Depth psychology" - New World Encyclopedia

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'''Depth psychology''' is a broad term that refers to any [[psychology|psychological]] approach that examines the depth (the hidden or deeper aspects) of human experience. Although not based on a [[religion|religious]] foundation, depth psychology attempts to bring the concept of [[soul]] and other [[spiritual]] aspects of human life into psychology.
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==Origin and development==
  
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Depth psychology, from the [[German]] term ''(Tiefenpsychologie)'' coined by [[Eugen Bleuler]], refers to the ongoing development of theories and therapies pioneered by [[Pierre Janet]] and [[Carl Jung]], with contributions by [[Sigmund Freud]], [[Alfred Adler]], [[Otto Rank]], and others.
  
'''Depth psychology'''  is a broad term that refers to any psychological approach examining the depth (the hidden or deeper parts) of human experience.  
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This approach provides a set of techniques for exploring underlying [[motivation|motives]] and a method of treating various [[mental disorder]]s. It seeks to understand the "deep" layer(s) underlying [[behavior]]al and [[cognition|cognitive]] processes—the realm of the [[unconscious]].
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The three major schools of depth psychology are:
  
==Origin of Depth Psychology==
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* [[Analytical psychology]], based on the work of Carl Jung
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* [[Individual psychology]], based on the work of Alfred Adler
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* [[Psychoanalysis]], based on the work of Sigmund Freud
  
Historically, depth psychology, from a German term (Tiefenpsychologie) coined by Eugen Bleuler, has come to refer to the ongoing development of theories and therapies pioneered by Pierre Janet and [[Carl Jung]], with contributions by ]]Sigmund Freud]], and [[Alfred Adler]], [[Otto Rank], [[Thomas Moore]], and others.
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Also influential in the development of depth psychology are transpersonal psychology, which in itself includes [[humanistic psychology]], and [[existentialism]], which has worked its way into the world of [[psychotherapy]] primarily via the work of Rollo May. The work of [[Rudolf Steiner]], on our ability to participate in spiritual processes, influenced the development of Robert Sardello's spiritual psychology, which, along with James Hillman's archetypal psychology (an outgrowth of Jung's analytical school) and the work of [[Roman Catholic]] [[theology|theologian]] Thomas Moore, brought a focus on the [[soul]] and the deepest patterns of psychic functioning.
  
It provides a set of techniques for exploring underlying motives and a method of treating various [[mental disorder]]s. It seeks the deep layer(s) underlying [[behavior]]al and [[cognitive process]]es - the [[unconscious]].
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==Key concepts==
The initial work and development of the theories and therapies by [[Carl Jung]], [[Sigmund Freud]], [[Alfred Adler]] and [[Otto Rank]] that became to be known as depth psychology have resulted in three perspectives in modern times:
 
* Psychoanalytic: Freud's object relations
 
* Adlerian: Adler’s [[Individual psychology]]
 
* Jungian: Jung’s [[Analytical psychology]] and James Hillman’s "Archetypal psychology"
 
  
Those schools were most strongly influenced by the work of [[Carl Jung]], a 20th century Swiss [[psychiatrist]] who in his [[Analytical psychology]] emphasise questions of [[psyche]], [[human development]] and [[personality development]] (or [[individuation]]). Jung was knowledgeable of [[esotericism]], [[religion]] and [[spirituality]], and draws on [[myths]], [[archetype]]s and the idea of the [[collective unconscious]].
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The following are the primary elements of depth psychology:
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===Conscious and unconscious===
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Depth psychology states that the psyche is a process that is partly [[consciousness|conscious]] and partly [[unconscious]]. The unconscious contains repressed experiences and other personal issues in its "upper" layers, and "transpersonal" (e.g. [[collective unconscious|collective]] and [[archetype|archetypal]]) forces in its depths.
  
==Other influences==
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===Spiritual and instinctive===
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The psyche spontaneously generates mythico-religious [[symbol|symbolism]] and is therefore [[spiritual]], as well as [[instinct]]ive, in nature. According to depth psychology, this implies that the choice of being a spiritual person or not does not exist—the only question is where do we put our spirituality. Do we live it consciously, or do we unknowingly invest it in unspiritual aspirations (perfectionism, addictions, greed, fame) that eventually possess us by virtue of their ignored, but frightfully potent, noumenous power?
  
Also included in the realm of Depth psychology is the influence of transpersonal psychology (which itself includes [[humanistic psychology]] and Far Eastern currents), and [[existentialism]], which has worked its way into the psychotherapy world primarily via [[Rollo May]]. [[Robert Sardello]], though his School of Spiritual Psychology, which builds on the work of Jung, Moore, Hillman, and [[Rudolf Steiner]], teaches ways to deal with complex issues of our time through bringing the concept of Soul back into consciousness.
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===Myth-making===
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All [[mind]]s, and all lives, are ultimately embedded in some sort of myth-making. [[Mythology]] is not merely a series of old explanations for natural events; it is rather the richness and wisdom of humanity played out in a wondrous [[symbol]]ic storytelling: no story, no myth, and no humanness either.
  
==Key concepts==
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===Caring for our environment===
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Depth psychology notes that because of our deep connection to all that surrounds us, we are [[mental health|sane]] and whole only to the degree that we care for our [[environment]] and tend responsibly to the world in which we live.
  
The following is a summary of the primary elements of Depth psychology:
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===Soul===
* Depth psychology states that psyche is a process that is partly conscious and partly unconscious.  The unconscious in turn contains repressed experiences and other personal-level issues in its "upper" layers and "transpersonal" (eg. collective, non-egoic, archetypal) forces in its depths.
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One of the aims of depth psychology is to bring discussion of the [[soul]] back into [[psychology]]. The soul is the “seat of meaningful experience” where the psyche’s personal and transpersonal poles meet. James Hillman refers to it as an imaginative deepening of events into experiences.
* The psyche spontaneously generates mythico-religious symbolism and is therefore spiritual as well as instinctive in nature. An implication of this is that the choice of whether to be a spiritual person or not does not exist—the only question is exactly where we put our spirituality: Do we live it consciously or unknowingly invest it in nonspiritual aspirations (perfectionism, addictions, greed, fame) that eventually possess us by virtue of their ignored but frightfully potent numinous power?
 
* All minds, all lives, are ultimately embedded in some sort of myth-making. Mythology is not a series of old explanations for natural events; it is rather the richness and wisdom of humanity played out in a wondrous symbolical storytelling. No story, no myth, and no humanness either.
 
* Because we have a psychical share in all that surrounds us, we are sane and whole only to the degree that we care for our environment and tend responsibly to the world in which we live.
 
*There is a “seat of meaningful experience” where the psyche’s personal and transpersonal poles meet; this seat is referred to as soul. [[Hillman]] refers to it as an imaginative deepening of events into experiences. One of depth psychology’s aims is to bring discussion of soul back into psychology.  (See the work of Hillman, Moore, Sardello.)
 
  
==External links==  
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==Influence==
*[http://www.sonoma.edu/psychology/depth/program.html Sonoma State University program in Depth Psychology]
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Depth psychology has profoundly influenced the way many [[psychologists]] and [[counseling|counselors]] approach their clients' experiences. Understanding that there exists an [[unconscious]] realm, containing both personal and transpersonal, or collective, aspects, is the first step in unraveling the intricacies of the human psyche. Nevertheless, religious practitioners, specifically [[Christianity|Christians]], may say that the approach is still deficient; including the [[soul]] in psychology is a good first step, but understanding [[God]]'s purpose for creating humankind is also essential. However, for psychology to include such religious components while maintaining its [[scientific_Method|scientific status]] remains a challenge.
  
*[http://www.tearsofllorona.com/depth.html What is depth psychology?]
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Nevertheless, support for depth psychology's pursuit of spiritual components underlying human behavior comes from the field of [[quantum_mechanics|quantum physics]]. Late twentieth-century advances in this field have led scientists to posit that at a very deep level there is no distinction between physical and psychic structures, and that these are actually two perspectives on the same core reality. In this way, efforts on the part of depth psychologists to bring spiritual concepts, such as the [[soul]], into [[psychology]] contribute to bringing together the spheres of [[science]] and [[religion]].
  
*[http://psychclassics.yorku.ca/Janet/murchison.htm Autobiography of Pierre Janet]
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==References==
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*Hillman, James. 2004. ''Archetypal Psychology, Vol. 1: Uniform Edition of the Writings of James Hillman.'' Spring Publications. ISBN 0882145762.
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*Moore, Thomas. 1994. ''Care of the Soul: A Guide for Cultivating Depth and Sacredness in Everyday Life.'' Harper Paperbacks. ISBN 0060922249.
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*Sardello, Robert. 2001. ''Love and the World: A Guide to Conscious Soul Practice.'' Lindisfarne Books. ISBN 0970109741.
  
*[http://www.banyen.com/INFOCUS/SARDELLO.HTM Robert Sardello]
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==External links==
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All links retrieved January 29, 2024.
  
*[http://www.integralscience.org/psyche-physis.html Quantum Physics and Depth Psychology]
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*[http://www.integralscience.org/psyche-physis.html Quantum Physics, Depth Psychology and beyond]
  
 
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Latest revision as of 09:48, 29 January 2024


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Depth psychology is a broad term that refers to any psychological approach that examines the depth (the hidden or deeper aspects) of human experience. Although not based on a religious foundation, depth psychology attempts to bring the concept of soul and other spiritual aspects of human life into psychology.

Origin and development

Depth psychology, from the German term (Tiefenpsychologie) coined by Eugen Bleuler, refers to the ongoing development of theories and therapies pioneered by Pierre Janet and Carl Jung, with contributions by Sigmund Freud, Alfred Adler, Otto Rank, and others.

This approach provides a set of techniques for exploring underlying motives and a method of treating various mental disorders. It seeks to understand the "deep" layer(s) underlying behavioral and cognitive processes—the realm of the unconscious. The three major schools of depth psychology are:

Also influential in the development of depth psychology are transpersonal psychology, which in itself includes humanistic psychology, and existentialism, which has worked its way into the world of psychotherapy primarily via the work of Rollo May. The work of Rudolf Steiner, on our ability to participate in spiritual processes, influenced the development of Robert Sardello's spiritual psychology, which, along with James Hillman's archetypal psychology (an outgrowth of Jung's analytical school) and the work of Roman Catholic theologian Thomas Moore, brought a focus on the soul and the deepest patterns of psychic functioning.

Key concepts

The following are the primary elements of depth psychology:

Conscious and unconscious

Depth psychology states that the psyche is a process that is partly conscious and partly unconscious. The unconscious contains repressed experiences and other personal issues in its "upper" layers, and "transpersonal" (e.g. collective and archetypal) forces in its depths.

Spiritual and instinctive

The psyche spontaneously generates mythico-religious symbolism and is therefore spiritual, as well as instinctive, in nature. According to depth psychology, this implies that the choice of being a spiritual person or not does not exist—the only question is where do we put our spirituality. Do we live it consciously, or do we unknowingly invest it in unspiritual aspirations (perfectionism, addictions, greed, fame) that eventually possess us by virtue of their ignored, but frightfully potent, noumenous power?

Myth-making

All minds, and all lives, are ultimately embedded in some sort of myth-making. Mythology is not merely a series of old explanations for natural events; it is rather the richness and wisdom of humanity played out in a wondrous symbolic storytelling: no story, no myth, and no humanness either.

Caring for our environment

Depth psychology notes that because of our deep connection to all that surrounds us, we are sane and whole only to the degree that we care for our environment and tend responsibly to the world in which we live.

Soul

One of the aims of depth psychology is to bring discussion of the soul back into psychology. The soul is the “seat of meaningful experience” where the psyche’s personal and transpersonal poles meet. James Hillman refers to it as an imaginative deepening of events into experiences.

Influence

Depth psychology has profoundly influenced the way many psychologists and counselors approach their clients' experiences. Understanding that there exists an unconscious realm, containing both personal and transpersonal, or collective, aspects, is the first step in unraveling the intricacies of the human psyche. Nevertheless, religious practitioners, specifically Christians, may say that the approach is still deficient; including the soul in psychology is a good first step, but understanding God's purpose for creating humankind is also essential. However, for psychology to include such religious components while maintaining its scientific status remains a challenge.

Nevertheless, support for depth psychology's pursuit of spiritual components underlying human behavior comes from the field of quantum physics. Late twentieth-century advances in this field have led scientists to posit that at a very deep level there is no distinction between physical and psychic structures, and that these are actually two perspectives on the same core reality. In this way, efforts on the part of depth psychologists to bring spiritual concepts, such as the soul, into psychology contribute to bringing together the spheres of science and religion.

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Hillman, James. 2004. Archetypal Psychology, Vol. 1: Uniform Edition of the Writings of James Hillman. Spring Publications. ISBN 0882145762.
  • Moore, Thomas. 1994. Care of the Soul: A Guide for Cultivating Depth and Sacredness in Everyday Life. Harper Paperbacks. ISBN 0060922249.
  • Sardello, Robert. 2001. Love and the World: A Guide to Conscious Soul Practice. Lindisfarne Books. ISBN 0970109741.

External links

All links retrieved January 29, 2024.

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