Jungian Psychology Glossary

Extraverted intuition is a psychological function that focuses on possibilities, patterns, and potential in the external world. It seeks to connect ideas, identify trends, and explore future opportunities, often thriving in dynamic and novel environments.

Extraverted sensation is a function that focuses on immediate sensory experiences and concrete realities in the external world. It values pleasure, aesthetics, and practicality, often engaging fully with the present moment.

Extraverted thinking is a function that prioritises logical structure, organisation, and external systems. It focuses on efficiency and objective decision-making, often excelling in environments that require planning and execution.

Fantasy in Jungian psychology is an expression of unconscious material, often arising spontaneously in the form of images, stories, or daydreams. It serves as a bridge between the conscious and unconscious, revealing inner desires, fears, or unresolved conflicts.

Feeling is one of the four primary psychological functions in Jungian typology. It is concerned with evaluating experiences based on personal and interpersonal values rather than logic or sensory data. Feeling types often prioritise harmony, connection, and emotional resonance.

Fixation refers to a psychological state where emotional energy becomes stuck or overinvested in a particular stage of development, idea, or behaviour. This can result from unresolved conflicts or trauma, preventing psychological growth and flexibility.

In Jungian psychology, function refers to the ways in which the psyche interacts with the world, encompassing thinking, feeling, sensation, and intuition. These functions are expressed in either introverted or extraverted attitudes, forming the basis of Jung’s typology.

In Jungian terms, gender is not limited to biological sex but encompasses archetypal masculine and feminine principles present in all individuals. These principles, represented by the anima and animus, reflect qualities such as logic and intuition, strength and nurturing.

The God-image in Jungian psychology refers to the archetypal representation of the divine or ultimate meaning within the psyche. It is not a theological concept but a psychological reality, symbolising the Self and the search for wholeness.

The Great Mother archetype represents nurturing, fertility, creation, and destruction. It is a universal symbol of life-giving and life-taking forces, often appearing in myths, dreams, or personal imagery as a maternal figure.

In Jungian psychology, a group represents a collective unit where individual identities are influenced by shared archetypes, dynamics, and collective unconscious processes. Groups can evoke feelings of belonging, but they may also suppress individuality and intensify unconscious projections.

Guilt is a psychological state arising from the perception of wrongdoing, often tied to moral or ethical standards. In Jungian terms, guilt may also stem from failing to integrate certain aspects of the psyche, such as the shadow or unfulfilled potential.

Healing in Jungian analysis is the process of restoring balance and integration within the psyche, addressing both conscious and unconscious conflicts. It often involves confronting archetypes, resolving complexes, and embracing the individuation journey.

The hermaphrodite is an alchemical and archetypal symbol of unity, representing the integration of masculine and feminine principles. It signifies the reconciliation of opposites within the psyche, a key goal in individuation.

The Hero is a central archetype symbolising the individual’s journey toward growth, courage, and self-discovery. It represents the part of the psyche that seeks to overcome challenges and achieve transformation, often depicted in myths and stories.

Historically, hysteria referred to a psychological condition marked by intense emotional expression and somatic symptoms without an apparent physical cause. In Jungian terms, hysteria is often linked to repressed unconscious material seeking expression through the body.

An idea in Jungian psychology represents a mental construct that originates from both conscious thought and unconscious inspiration. Ideas often serve as bridges between the individual psyche and collective cultural or archetypal patterns.

Identification is the process by which an individual unconsciously aligns themselves with a specific archetype, role, or external figure, often losing touch with their unique identity. It can be a defence mechanism or a developmental phase in the psyche.

In Jungian psychology, an image is a representation of unconscious material that appears in dreams, fantasies, or art. It serves as a symbolic expression of psychic content, often reflecting archetypal themes or unresolved conflicts.

Imago refers to an unconscious image or mental representation of a significant person, often originating in early childhood. These imagos shape how individuals perceive and relate to others, particularly in relationships, and are influenced by archetypes and personal experiences.

The individual, in Jungian psychology, represents the unique totality of a person, encompassing both their conscious identity and unconscious aspects. Individuation is the process by which the individual integrates all parts of the psyche to achieve wholeness.

The lifelong process of integrating the conscious and unconscious elements of the psyche. Through individuation, one becomes uniquely themselves, achieving psychological maturity and self-fulfilment.

Infancy and childhood are foundational stages in Jungian psychology where the psyche begins to develop its structure, including the formation of the ego and early complexes. Parental relationships and early experiences play a critical role in shaping the psyche.

The inferior function in Jungian typology is the least developed and most unconscious of the four psychological functions (thinking, feeling, sensation, intuition). It often manifests in awkward or exaggerated ways but is also a gateway to deeper self-awareness.

Inflation refers to an over-identification of the ego with an archetype, leading to a distorted sense of power, importance, or invulnerability. This often results in a loss of perspective and disconnection from reality.

Instincts in Jungian terms are innate, unconscious drives that govern behaviour, emotions, and survival mechanisms. They are closely linked to archetypes and form the biological foundation of the psyche, influencing both personal and collective experiences.

Integration is the process of uniting conscious and unconscious aspects of the psyche, including shadow traits, archetypes, and repressed material. It is a central goal of individuation, fostering wholeness and psychological balance.

Interpretation in Jungian analysis involves uncovering the meaning of symbols, dreams, and unconscious material. It is a collaborative process where the analyst and client explore the personal and archetypal significance of psychic content.

Introjection is the unconscious incorporation of external values, attitudes, or characteristics into one’s psyche, often without critical examination. It can result from relationships, societal influences, or archetypal projections.

Introversion is a psychological attitude in which energy is directed inward toward subjective experience, thoughts, and feelings. Introverted individuals tend to focus on internal processes and are energised by solitude rather than external interaction.

Introverted feeling is a function that evaluates experiences based on deeply held personal values and emotions. It is often inwardly directed and may not be easily expressed outwardly, focusing on authenticity and moral alignment.

Introverted intuition is a function that focuses on inner vision, abstract connections, and future possibilities. It is deeply reflective, seeking to understand patterns and meanings beyond immediate experience.

Introverted sensation is a function that focuses on subjective sensory impressions and the internal significance of past experiences. It often manifests as a vivid recall of details, feelings, or atmospheres tied to specific memories.

Introverted thinking is a psychological function that focuses on internal logic, principles, and abstract reasoning. It prioritises creating an inner framework of understanding over external validation, often operating independently of social norms.

Intuition is one of Jung’s four psychological functions, focusing on patterns, possibilities, and abstract connections. It perceives the world through unconscious processes, often prioritising insights over concrete details.

The life instinct, or Eros, represents the drive toward growth, connection, and creation. It is associated with nurturing, relationships, and the continuation of life, counterbalancing the death instinct (Thanatos).

Logos in Jungian psychology symbolises the principle of reason, logic, and structure. It is often associated with the masculine archetype and contrasts with Eros, which represents connection and relatedness.

Loss of soul refers to a state of psychological disconnection from one’s deeper self or purpose, often resulting from trauma, repression, or overidentification with external roles. It manifests as apathy, despair, or a sense of emptiness.

The mana personality represents an inflated sense of spiritual or psychological power, often resulting from overidentification with archetypal energy. It can lead to a distortion of the ego-Self relationship and a loss of groundedness.

The mandala is a symbolic representation of wholeness and order, often depicted as a circular design. In Jungian psychology, it reflects the archetype of the Self and serves as a visual metaphor for the individuation process.

In Jungian psychology, marriage symbolises the union of opposites, such as conscious and unconscious, masculine and feminine, or spirit and matter. It is both a literal and symbolic relationship representing the individuation process and the integration of the psyche.

Meaning refers to the sense of purpose or significance derived from experiences, symbols, and archetypal patterns in life. In Jungian psychology, the search for meaning is central to individuation and psychological development.

Mental illness in Jungian psychology is seen as a disruption in the balance between conscious and unconscious processes, often resulting from unresolved inner conflicts, unintegrated archetypes, or societal pressures.

A metaphor in Jungian psychology is a symbolic representation that conveys deeper psychological truths or unconscious material. Metaphors are commonly used in dreams, myths, and art to express complex ideas in an accessible form.

Morality in Jungian terms reflects the ethical framework shaped by the individual’s psyche, including cultural influences, personal values, and archetypal patterns. It plays a key role in navigating the tension between societal expectations and inner authenticity.

The mother archetype embodies nurturing, protection, creation, and destruction. It appears in myths, dreams, and personal experiences as both a positive force of care and a potentially overwhelming presence, representing the dual aspects of growth and dependency.

The Mundus Imaginalis, or imaginal world, is a concept describing a realm between the physical and spiritual where archetypes and symbols reside. It is a space where unconscious content takes on vivid, symbolic forms.

Myths in Jungian psychology are universal narratives that express archetypal themes and collective human experiences. They serve as symbolic guides, offering insights into the psyche’s dynamics and the individuation process.

In Jungian psychology, narcissism refers to an overidentification with the ego and a lack of connection to the deeper aspects of the Self. It often manifests as excessive self-focus, a fragile sense of self-worth, and difficulty forming meaningful relationships.

Object relations theory, integrated into Jungian thought, explores the internalised relationships with significant others (objects) that shape the psyche. These relationships influence patterns of attachment, behaviour, and emotional responses.