- Introduction
- Points of comparison
- Differences and similarities in the concept of “self”: Jung vs. Kohut
- The origin of self: Kohut vs. Jung
- The origin of self: Kohut v Jung
- The concept of splitting Psyche: Kohut vs. Jung
- The concept of splitting Psyche: Kohut v. Jung
- Origin of intrapsychic structure: Kohut v Jung
- The Idea of Wholeness: Jung vs. Kohut
Introduction
- Jungian school of thought remains controversial.
- Ьost use empirical evidence to support or refute Jung’s claims.
- Еhe concept of “self” has received critical review.
- Kohuts theory is the best critical approach to Jung.
- The two theories are important in psychoanalysis of the self.
- They are concerned with human concept of self.
![Jung vs. Kohut](https://ivypanda.com/essays/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/the-difference-between-kotuts-and-jungs-theory-of-self-3.jpg)
Points of comparison
The theories show several similarities and differences.
The main question relates to the relationship between the two concepts.
Psychoanalyst attempts to find a consensus between the theories.
The similarities and differences are observed in three major aspects:
- The concept of self,
- The origin of self,
- The splitting nature of self,
- The idea of wholeness.
Differences and similarities in the concept of “self”: Jung vs. Kohut
- Both psychoanalysts stresses on the importance of the self.
- Both emphasize that the self has an intrapsychic structure.
- It makes their descriptions of the self and its nature seem to overlap.
- Their schools of thought differ in a number of ways.
- Differences only arise due to different approaches to “self”.
- Similarities are more profound than differences.
- Both state that the it is impossible to fully describe the “self”.
- Kohut- self refers to the cognitive impenetrability.
- Jung- self cannot overpower human power of compression.
- Kohut- self is the way in which an individual experiences “himself as himself”.
- Kohut – self is a permanent mental structure of human behaviors, memories and feelings.
- Each individual experiences this with time, and it gives them the feeling of “being oneself”.
The origin of self: Kohut vs. Jung
- Jung’s theory is the wire armature for a sculpture.
- Kohut’s self is the clay to finish Jung’s work.
- It is a metaphorical approach to the differences.
- Jung – humans become involved with other individuals who correspond to the human essential nature.
- Jung- Other humans are objects to form archetypes.
- Kohut- Other humans are objects to satisfy child’s needs.
![The origin of self: Kohut vs. Jung](https://ivypanda.com/essays/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/the-difference-between-kotuts-and-jungs-theory-of-self-8.jpg)
The origin of self: Kohut v Jung
- Kohut- goals are the realization of the objective of life.
- This blueprint objective has been laid on in a person’s nuclear self.
- Jung- based on the process of unfolding the self throughout an individual’s life.
- Jung- it aims at achieving the possible personality’s wholeness.
- Jung- self is a totality of both conscious and unconscious human psyche.
- It is purposive in nature and acts as a center for organizing.
The concept of splitting Psyche: Kohut vs. Jung
- Kohut and Jung emphasize on the importance of splitting.
- Kohut- draws a clear line between vertical and horizontal splitting.
- Vertical splitting- there is no material thing.
- But the significance of emotional material is ignored.
- Leads to the coexistence of two intrapsychic contents.
- But there is no communication between these components.
![Psyche](https://ivypanda.com/essays/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/the-difference-between-kotuts-and-jungs-theory-of-self-11.jpg)
The concept of splitting Psyche: Kohut v. Jung
- Jung- stresses on the theory of neurosis.
- Concerned with the idea of the tendency of the psyche to split.
- Also the autonomy of the split components or associated associations, ideas or feelings.
- The components behave like splinter psyches.
- But they are in harmony with the overall human personality.
- Kohut’s splitting is evident but less important.
![The concept of splitting Psyche: Kohut v. Jung](https://ivypanda.com/essays/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/the-difference-between-kotuts-and-jungs-theory-of-self-13.jpg)
Origin of intrapsychic structure: Kohut v Jung
- Kohut- structuralization of the inner world of a child results from the parent’s self objects.
- Their emphatic responsiveness to the inner needs of the child.
- Jung’s theory- a child’s prior psychological matrix is inborn.
- Experiences determined by the child-environment interaction.
- Kohut- eating and assimilation of food illustrates the process of creation of intrapsychic structure.
- The food has been assimilated into the body of the person.
The Idea of Wholeness: Jung vs. Kohut
- Kohut- personality of a patient exists in wholeness.
- This total personality is the intrinsic constituent of the whole stance.
- Psychologist should see his patient from an overview perspective.
- The concept of totality is present in Jung’s idea of wholeness.
- Emphasizes on the idea of totality of psyche.
- All psychological aspects are part of the whole psyche.
![The Idea of Wholeness: Jung vs. Kohut](https://ivypanda.com/essays/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/the-difference-between-kotuts-and-jungs-theory-of-self-15.jpg)