Contrast within Psych Flashcards
What is Freud’s view of religion?
An illusion stemming from infantile dependencies
Freud sees religion negatively as a projection of familial dynamics.
How does William James perceive religion?
Variegated; can be valid, meaningful, transformative
James emphasizes the psychological aspects and the significance of personal experiences.
According to Jung, what is the origin of religion?
Emerges from deep collective archetypes
Jung views religion as a natural outgrowth of universal symbolic patterns.
What does Freud associate with the origins of religion?
Projection of the father figure
Freud links religion to family dynamics and sexual ambivalence.
What is William James’s stance on the origin of religion?
No single origin claim; emphasizes first-hand experiences
He focuses on the unseen realities humans respond to.
What does Jung say about the collective unconscious?
Shapes religious forms manifested through archetypal images
Jung’s concept explains how shared symbols appear in different cultures.
What role does sexuality play in Freud’s psychological theory?
Nearly everything traces back to sexual or libidinal conflicts
Freud’s theories heavily emphasize sexual motivations.
How does James critique the sexual theory of religion?
Considers it an overly narrow attempt to discredit religion
James argues for a broader understanding of religious experience.
What is Jung’s perspective on the role of sexuality in religion?
Religion cannot be reduced to sexuality; sees many archetypes beyond it
Jung agrees with James on the complexity of religious archetypes.
What is Freud’s attitude towards mystical and non-rational elements?
Skeptical; sees them as illusions or neuroses
Freud dismisses these experiences as mere psychological phenomena.
How does James analyze mystical experiences?
As important ‘peak’ forms of religious life
He believes these experiences are significant in understanding religion.
What does Jung explore regarding mystical experiences?
Expressions of the collective unconscious in archetypal form
Jung views these experiences as reflections of shared human symbols.
What did Freud, James, and Jung collectively shape?
The psychological study of religion
Their differing interpretations provide a comprehensive view of religion’s psychological aspects.
What is the range of interpretations among Freud, James, and Jung?
From Freud’s reductive to James’s empirical-yet-positive to Jung’s archetypal approach
Each thinker offers a unique perspective on religion.
Why is William James a key reference in modern psychology of religion?
For his defense of the legitimacy and complexity of religious experience
His work emphasizes the importance of personal religious experiences.
What powerful concept did Carl Jung introduce?
Archetypes and the collective unconscious
This concept explains the recurrence of myths and symbols across cultures.
What does Freud’s stance on religion reflect about early 20th century views?
Highlights the view of religion as an outmoded or childish phenomenon
This perspective was later critiqued by thinkers like James and Jung.
