Deck 3: Case Studies 3-4 Erik Erikson: Contributions

Question 1

Using Jung's theoretical concepts and stages assess 's personality by answering the following questions.
What are archetypes? In what level of consciousness are they contained, according to Jung's theory? What archetype has Robert been influenced by? Provide evidence for your answer.How does it influence his behavior?

Answer 1

Archetypes are the contents of the collective unconscious.They are primordial images inherited from our ancestors.The wise old man archetype influences Robert because it symbolizes our preexisting knowledge of the mysteries of life.Others perceive him as a guru or wise man.

Question 2

At what stage is Robert presently, according to Jungian theory? What types of events should he be experiencing at this stage? Is there evidence for these experiences in the case study? Explain.

Answer 2

Robert is in middle age according to Jung.Jung thought that people at this stage should become increasingly introverted.There is evidence for Robert becoming increasingly introverted in that his interest in the paranormal increased as he was turning 40.This is similar to Jung's idea that many people in middle age will become increasingly interested in religion and life after death.Jung also thought that people would be attempting to change their earlier (younger) social and moral values to those more suited to someone of middle age.Jung was concerned about people attempting to hold onto youthful physical attractiveness and values as they advanced in age.Attempting to hold onto youth could negatively affect the second half of their life.This is called the conservative principle.There is no mention of this in the case study.

Question 3

According to Jung's theory, what archetype has Mark been influenced by? How do you know this? How does it influence his behavior? Is Mark aware of its influence? Explain.

Answer 3

Mark is influenced by the hero archetype as evidenced by his boyhood games.It also influenced his career choice.Mark is probably not aware of its impact because it is an unconscious influence and because he is described as not very introspective.

Question 4

Using Jung's theoretical concepts and stages, assess Mark's personality by answering the following questions.
What is Mark's attitude according to Jungian theory? Provide evidence for your answer.

Question 5

At what stage is Mark presently, according to Jung's theory? Specify substage, if appropriate.What types of events should be occurring at this stage?

Question 6

How could Fromm's concept of the existential dilemmas explain Robert's experiences with mysticism? Compare this concept with Jung's archetypes.

Question 7

Using Jung's theoretical concepts and stages, assess Mark's personality by answering the following questions.
What is Mark's superior function according to Jungian theory? Provide evidence for your answer.

Question 8

Using Jung's theoretical concepts and stages assess 's personality by answering the following questions.
What is Robert's superior function according to Jungian theory? Provide evidence for your answer.

Question 9

Using Jung's theoretical concepts and stages assess 's personality by answering the following questions.
What is Robert's attitude according to Jungian theory? Provide evidence for your answer.

Question 10

How could environmental factors, such as reinforcement and punishment, explain Mark's career choice? What are some reinforcements that encourage this behavior? How is the focus of this explanation different than that of Jung's theory in explaining Mark's career choice?

Question 11

Use another theory, besides Jung's, to explain Mark's career choice.

Question 12

At what stage of development would Erikson place Robert? Why? How do Erikson's psychosocial stages differ from Jung's stages of development?

Question 13

At what stage in Jungian theory, was Mark when he was pretending to be a super hero? Specify substage, if appropriate.