SEMINAR | RESEARCH IN ANALYTICAL PSYCHOLOGY: ARCHETYPES AND DREAMS

This seminar offers a thought-provoking overview of Christian Roesler’s significant research into archetype theory and its application in dream analysis.

While archetype theory is a central element of analytical psychology, it is also its most controversial, with intensive debate across the field questioning its foundations and current state. Introducing this seminar, Roesler outlines the issues, highlighting lack of consensus in interpreting the concept and historical absence of a critical lens, emphasising the need for a coherent theory.

Drawing from his systematic review of archetype theory, Roesler revisits and deconstructs Jung’s original definitions and theoretical underpinnings against current understandings across biological, anthropological, transcendental and psychological domains. In re-evaluating these foundational theories, Roesler argues that the core idea of a universal process of psychological transformation remains valuable.

To generate new insight through research without preconceptions, Roesler has developed the method Structural Dream Analysis, which he sets out. This process employs a combination of standardised measures and reporting, enabling comparability of cases towards identifying structural elements and patterns in dreams. The session provides an introduction to Roesler’s recent findings, highlighting and characterising recurring motifs and cultural differences.

Chaired by Sarah Hall.