The Cultural Complex: Contemporary Jungian Perspectives on Psyche and Society

by Samuel L. Kimbles and Thomas Singer

Book Overview

How do cultural complexes affect the collective psyche?

Based on Jung's theory of complexes, this book offers a new perspective on the psychological nature of conflicts between groups and cultures by introducing the concept of the cultural complex. This modern version of Jung's idea offers an original view of the forces that prevent human attempts to bring a peaceful, collaborative spirit to conflict between groups.

Leading analysts...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1583919147
• ISBN13: 9781583919149
• Release Date: July 2004
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 296 Pages
• Weight: 1.08 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.2" x 9.2"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

a big step forward

Jungian psychology has tended to analyze the individual in terms of complexes and society in terms of archetypes. This anthology introduces the idea of the cultural complex: a psychic pattern that can promote group identity but, when operating unconsciously, can seize entire populations with irrational impulses, stereotypical behavior, and dangerous forms of acting out. One has only to think about the hysterical and authoritarian reactions to 9/11 in America to see a cultural complex at work. A strength of this anthology is that it includes contributors from around the world, each applying cultural complex theory to actual examples drawn from immediate experience. Singer and Kimbles have bridged a huge gap in the depth psychological approach to understanding and dealing with collective trauma.