Character And The Unconscious - A Critical Exposition Of The Psychology Of Freud And Of Jung

Character And The Unconscious - A Critical Exposition Of The Psychology Of Freud And Of Jung Review

Text extracted from opening pages of book: Character and the Unconscious A Critical Exposition of the Psychology of Freud and of Jung By J. H. van der HOOP Authorized Translation by ELIZABETH TREVELYAN LONDON KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH, TRUBNER & CO., LTD. NEW YORK: HARCOURT, BRACE & COMPANY, INC. 1923 PRINTED IV GREAT BRITAIN BY THE EDINBURGH PRESS, 9 AND II YOUNG STREET, EDINBURGH PREFACE THIS book is intended to be a critical survey of the psychology of Freud and Jung. Although many intro ductions to this subject have already been published in English, little attention has so far been paid to the causes of divergence in the theories of these scientists, who originally were in complete agreement with each other. This question should be of interest to all who are not content merely to condemn and ignore the point of view which they do not approve of. I believe that only a thorough understanding of this problem will enable us to realise the significance of the new psycho logy, which cannot grow into a harmonious system of scientific theory unless psychologists will take the trouble to investigate the origin of existing differences of opinion. I have tried to avoid a detailed description both of psycho-analytical technique, and of the origins of various neuroses. Those subjects seem to me too difficult and complicated, and hardly ripe enough for this kind of general treatment. It i important to realise that psycho-analysis is a most subtle and difficult method, which leads to very complicated psycho-pathological theories ; otherwise we might be tempted to form premature and one-sided judgments, and there would be a danger that practitioners and others might attempt to treat patients without sufficient scientific training, and so might bring psycho-analysis into discredit. This book is the result of nine years' intensive study of the practice and theory of psycho-analysis. It was written before the publication of Jung's Psychological CHARACTER AND THE UNCONSCIOUS Types, after which I revised and added to the fifth chapter, which treats of the psychological types, Thus the book everywhere represents my own views, though I need hardly say how much they owe to both Freud and Jung. The reader will perceive that I have represented psychology as a science that is still in a state of growth. New experiences are continually accumulating, and giving rise to new and divergent generalisations. Those who have no opportunity of judging from their own experience may easily be confused by this mass of facts and opinions, and will find it very difficult to obtain a clear survey of the whole. Notwithstanding these difficulties, I think that a somewhat general account may be of great use, because the subject matter of this new psychology has aroused such universal interest, and is so closely connected with many contemporary problems. Our time is full of external and internal strife. In the social world we are faced by many intricate problems, whose solution requires a profound understanding of the human mind. But in our own lives too, we all of us meet with dilemmas and uncertainties which should make us eagerly welcome a science which may throw light on the hidden depths of the soul. I hope that this book may help to convince the reader that the new psychology will in time fulfil many of our expectations. Next to Mrs R. C. Trevelyan, I wish to express my thanks to Mr R. C. Trevelyan for his revision of the translation, to Miss Constance E. Long, M. D., and to Miss Sybil I. Welsh, M. D., for their criticism of the fifth chapter. J. H. van der HOOP. VI CONTENTS PAGES PREFACE .... v CHAPTER I. THE ORIGINS OF PSYCHO-ANALYSIS 1-30 Natural science and psychology The study of hysteria Charcot Hypnotism and hysteria The nature of suggestion Janet's investiga tions Breuer's experiences The effect of re pression Resistance The influence of past experiences Significance of childhood A new basis of psychology Sex and hysteria The hysterical type Causes of hysteria