“Everyone knows nowadays that people ‘have complexes’. What is not so well known, though far more important theoretically, is that complexes can have us.”
- July 26, 1875 – June 6, 1961
- Born in Switzerland
- Psychiatrist and psychologist
- Founded analytical psychology and proposed the concepts of archetypes and the collective unconscious
Quote
“Everyone knows nowadays that people ‘have complexes’. What is not so well known, though far more important theoretically, is that complexes can have us.”
Explanation
In this quote, Carl Jung shifts the focus from the simple idea that individuals have complexes to the more profound notion that complexes—unconscious patterns or emotional themes—can exert control over the individual, influencing thoughts, behavior, and decisions. A complex is a cluster of emotions, memories, and associations that are usually formed during early life experiences and stored in the unconscious. These complexes can become autonomous, meaning they can affect us without our full awareness or understanding, shaping our responses and perceptions in ways that may seem irrational or disproportionate. Jung’s insight here emphasizes the power of the unconscious mind, suggesting that unresolved emotional issues or repressed experiences can take on a life of their own, driving our actions and potentially leading to psychological conflict or distress. The idea that “complexes can have us” is a recognition that people can become captured or dominated by their unconscious material, often without realizing it.
Historically, this quote reflects Jung’s deep commitment to the idea that the unconscious is not merely a passive backdrop to the conscious mind, but an active, dynamic part of the psyche that constantly influences our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. In Jung’s psychological theory, complexes can distort our perception of reality, interfere with relationships, and even contribute to the development of mental health conditions. Jung’s emphasis on the autonomy of complexes shows how deeply unconscious forces can shape an individual’s personality and life choices. He believed that one of the central tasks of psychological growth, or individuation, is to bring these unconscious influences into conscious awareness, thereby integrating them into the self. By confronting and understanding the complexes that shape us, we can free ourselves from their unconscious grip and begin to act with more awareness and authenticity.
In modern psychology, Jung’s ideas on complexes are foundational to psychodynamic therapy and have influenced other therapeutic approaches, including cognitive-behavioral and depth psychology. Today, the concept of a complex is still widely used to describe patterns of thought and behavior that are difficult to control or understand. For example, someone with a mother complex might unconsciously react to authority figures or relationships in ways that mirror their unresolved issues with their own mother. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) works to bring unconscious patterns to light and replace maladaptive thought patterns, while psychodynamic therapy delves into the roots of these patterns, focusing on past experiences and unresolved conflicts. Jung’s recognition that complexes can “have us” aligns with modern research into the power of unconscious biases, showing how automatic thoughts and reactions can often guide our decisions without our conscious awareness. Jung’s insight also has applications in areas like leadership development and personal growth, where understanding and managing one’s own unconscious influences is key to becoming a more self-aware and effective individual.
