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Between the analytical and the critical: implications for theorizing the self.
1School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University, Glamorgan Building, King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3WT, Wales, UK. JonesRA9@cardiff.ac.uk
The Journal of Analytical Psychology
|July 2, 2003
Summary
This study explores the critical standpoint in psychology, contrasting social constructionism with Jungian self-development theories. It suggests a dialogical middle ground for understanding the self in cultural contexts.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Postmodern Psychology
Background:
- Critique of mainstream positivist psychology.
- Emphasis on human lives within culture and historical time.
- Focus on the dialogical unfolding of the self.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore implications of the critical standpoint in psychology.
- To contrast social constructionist and Jungian viewpoints on self-development.
- To identify a potential middle ground between these perspectives.
Main Methods:
- Introduction of the critical standpoint and its postmodern underpinnings.
- Description of social constructionism and positioning theory.
- Illustration of contrasting viewpoints using case examples of child fantasies.
Main Results:
- Social constructionism views the self as a discursive production.
- Jungian psychology focuses on the development of the self.
- Diametrically opposed viewpoints were identified in interpreting child fantasies.
Conclusions:
- A conceptual middle ground between social constructionism and Jungian psychology is possible.
- Bakhtin's dialogical act offers a framework for this middle ground.
- Reconciling these perspectives enriches the understanding of self-development.