Three Visions of the Unconscious: Freud, Jung, and Adler Compared

The concept of the unconscious mind might be one of the most intriguing and influential topics in psychology. First conceptualised by Sigmund Freud, the father of modern Psychology in his new school of thought of Psychoanalysis, the concept of the unconscious and its pivotal role in the formation of the human Psyche was further developed by psychologists like Carl Jung and Alfred Adler. 

These three contemporary psychologists worked together for a long time. Jung and Adler were part of Freud’s inner circle and were influential in the development of psychoanalysis. Jung, in particular, was even seen as the heir to Freud. However, over time, these three prodigies of their era began to diverge from one another. This was largely due to their differing views on the Psyche, the unconscious, and the reasons behind human behaviour. Jung went ahead and developed the field of Analytical Psychology, whereas Adler gave birth to Individual Psychology.

Although they had the same roots, the branches of their philosophies grew in different directions. Freud’s theory of the unconscious was based on the role of sexual energy or Libido and how it drives conscious and unconscious human desires. Jung’s differences with Freud arose from his rejection of Freud’s idea that the unconscious is primarily driven by sexuality. Instead, Jung believed that the psyche contains a universal layer, which he called the “collective unconscious.”

Read More: Sigmund Freud’s 5 Most Important Contributions to Psychology

Jung’s ideas were largely inspired by mysticism. Adler took a more practical approach in his theories regarding the psyche. Adler focused on the social factors in shaping personality. Adler believed that people are primarily motivated by a desire for superiority and belonging, rather than just by sexual and aggressive instincts, as Freud believed. Let’s discover in detail what the major differences are in their conceptualisation of the Human psyche and the unconscious. 

Freud’s Unconscious: A Reservoir of Repressed Drives and Desires

Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis pioneered the systematical theory of the human unconscious. Freud saw the human unconscious as a repository for suppressed emotions and desires which are deemed unfit for expression by society or the code of conduct set up by our own unconscious and because of this inability to express these desires, they were pushed to the realm of unconscious. 

He firmly believed that human actions are guided by sexual energy or libido that flows through our body and demands gratification from different zones in our body during different stages of life. Over-gratification or failure to fulfil these needs at those moments led to fixation, which further explains compulsive habits. For example, people with compulsive eating or smoking may have oral fixation, as that pleasure zone might have been their primary source of satisfaction during their developing years. 

Freud divided the mind into three components: the Id, the ego, and the superego. 

The “Id” was the entirely unconscious part of the psyche. It operated on the pleasure principle, meaning it was driven by the need for immediate gratification. It held our primal desires and raw urges—the ones often too intense or unacceptable to be expressed directly. Because of this, these urges needed to find a healthier or more socially acceptable outlet. The “superego” is the moral watchdog that represents the internalised moral code of conduct that is set by a person and influenced by society. It keeps a check on the unhinged ID. The “ego” works as the middleman between the id and the superego. It focuses on fulfilling the demands of the Id while also satisfying the rules of the superego. It operates largely in the conscious realm but is bound by unconscious defence mechanisms. 

Freud’s model of the psyche saw the mind as a dynamic and conflict-ridden space that had a hold on conscious behaviour. The unconscious expresses itself via dreams, slips of the tongue and symptoms of mental illnesses. Freud formulated psychoanalysis as a method to access these hidden parts of the mind, which included techniques like free association, dream interpretation and transference analysis and considered it as the way to psychological healing. 

Read More: Freud’s theory of the Conscious, Preconscious and Unconscious

Jung’s Unconscious: A two-tier realm 

Carl Gustav Jung, Freud’s closest disciple and collaborator, eventually broke away from the Freudian school of thought due to some fundamental disagreements. However, he also adopted and developed some of Freud’s basic ideas, such as the concept of a personal unconscious.
But Jung argued that there was another, deeper layer of the unconscious, which he called the collective unconscious.

Jung talked about the concept of “collective unconscious”. It was a deeper layer of a universal psyche shared by humanity through the process of evolution. Just like humans carry genes for transferring physical components, we also transfer memes or cultural and psychological data throughout generations. Jung argued that the presence of common universal symbols like that of the father figure for that of god, earth as a mother, and symbols for life and death were proofs of this collective unconscious. These universal symbols were called archetypes by Jung. Archetypes are the primordial images and symbols shared by all humans. These archetypes manifest in myths and stories from different cultures. 

In contrast to Freud, Jung didn’t see the unconscious as merely a reservoir of trauma and sexuality but as a spring of creativity and wholeness that needs to be integrated. Jung emphasised personal growth, spirituality and symbolism. Jung used the method of individuation, or the integration of conscious and unconscious, for healing. Through the journey of individuation, humans integrate with their parts, which weren’t focused on normally. These parts are also called the shadow. This process of individuation became more complete and authentic. 

Adler’s unconscious: striving for superiority and completion 

Unlike Freud, who saw the unconscious as a repressed reservoir and Jung, who had a spiritual perspective on it, Adler had a practical view on the human psyche, which was not focused on our past but rather depended on the question “What do we wish to become?”. For Adler, the unconscious is not a dark repository of repressed desires but a construct shaped by one’s social context and goals. 

Adler was the pioneer of Individual Psychology. It focused on the integration of personality, social relationships, and the striving to overcome a self-perceived lack — a condition Adler referred to as the ‘state of Minus. These strivings are mostly unconscious and rooted in a person’s sense of inferiority. In Adler’s view, the unconscious is goal-directed. 

Adler also emphasised the influence of fictional finalism—unconscious life purposes or directive fiction that individuals create in early life. These “fictional goals” are not necessarily possible, but they unconsciously direct a person’s attitudes, behaviours, and coping mechanisms. For instance, a child who considers himself weak may unconsciously create a lifelong motivation to be strong or in charge. 

Adler’s therapy was concerned with conscious awareness of unconscious life goals and assisting people in restructuring their lifestyles in a socially productive manner. Social interest — a feeling of belonging and contribution to society — was a prime indicator of mental health, according to Adler. 

Contrasting the Philosophies

Freud had a depth-oriented philosophy that focussed on the unravelling of the buried past, mainly childhood. His belief was that unresolved unconscious conflicts produce mental issues among individuals and healing meant resolving these conflicts. Jung’s philosophy digs deep but turns the focus upwards towards self-realisation and integration with your unmet parts or shadow. 

His unconscious was a source of creative guidance and a much wider concept than just a personal unconscious. Jung focused on exploring art myths and mysticism to connect with a deeper self. Adler, in contrast, gave a simple, practical approach that was forward-looking and goal-oriented. He saw humans as masters of their fate. His emphasis was on finding one’s purpose or personal goals. 

Conclusion

While Freud, Jung, and Adler started their journey into psychology from the same point in psychoanalysis, they broke away into different and powerful schools of thought with each providing a different perspective on the unconscious. Freud perceived the unconscious as the battleground of instinctual urges. Jung regarded it as a mythic world of symbols and collective knowledge. Adler envisioned it as a socially grounded arena with motivations of personal aims and striving to master inferiority. Together, these three visions offer a more comprehensive picture of the unconscious mind-dynamic and multifaceted aspects of the human psyche.

FAQs 

Q1: What is the unconscious mind, and why is it important in psychology? 

A: The unconscious mind refers to the part of the psyche that holds thoughts, memories, desires, and emotions not immediately available to conscious awareness. It’s crucial because it influences behaviour, motivation, and mental health, even when we aren’t aware of it. 

Q2: How did Sigmund Freud view the unconscious mind? 

A: Freud saw the unconscious as a reservoir of repressed desires, especially sexual and aggressive urges. He believed these repressed forces shaped behaviour and could cause mental illness if unresolved. His model included the Id, Ego, and Superego, with the Id being the unconscious driver of primal desires. 

Q3: What is Carl Jung’s concept of the collective unconscious? 

A: Jung believed that in addition to a personal unconscious, humans share a collective unconscious, filled with universal symbols and archetypes inherited through evolution. These appear in myths, dreams, and cultural symbols and guide human behaviour on a deeper level. 

Q4: What is individuation in Jungian psychology? 

A: Individuation is the process of integrating different parts of the psyche, including the unconscious, to become a whole and authentic self. It often involves confronting the “shadow” — parts of ourselves we deny or ignore. 

Q5: What is fictional finalism in Adler’s theory? 

A: Fictional finalism refers to imagined life goals or ideals formed in early childhood that unconsciously guide a person’s behaviour. These goals aren’t necessarily real or attainable, but they shape how a person lives and perceives themselves. 

Q6: Are these three theories still relevant today? 

A: Yes, although modern psychology has evolved, elements of Freud, Jung, and Adler’s ideas remain influential in psychotherapy, counselling, and personality theory. Their differing views offer a rich, multi-layered understanding of the human psyche.