O complex When it comes to the study of the human mind, it is characterized by our behaviors and thoughts. In other words, functions as a pattern of responses, memories, unconscious desires, perceptions, among others.

First, the term complex was introduced by Carl Gustav Jung (1875-1961), through experiments by means of associations. He then defined the term as conflicting contents of the mind, albeit unconscious, that interfere with consciousness. As a result, they cause upsets and disturbing reactions.

Thus, for Jungian psychology, complex is not a pathological element, but a sign that conflicting contents of the mind have not been properly assimilated. In other words, complex affects life when one is in contradictory situations, causing disturbances in memory, affecting sleep, neurotic symptoms, lapses, etc.

Complex in the dictionary

The word complex, in the dictionary, refers to something that is difficult to understand, that can be considered from several points of view Or, again, that which involves relationships of doubtful coherence, which are unclear.

Complex in the dictionary, furthermore, means a set in which the elements among themselves demonstrate interdependent relationships, which may be difficult for the intellect to grasp.

What is complex in psychology?

However, complex is term created to designate a psychic scenario in which one seeks to analyze and resolve conflicts So that they do not exert unconscious influences on thoughts, behavior and feelings.

Thus, the reality of complexes, for the branch of so-called depth psychology, is what determines the processes of the unconscious mind. The complexes are nothing more than ideas that activate emotions, which often affect the individual in a totally unconscious way.

In this sense, everything that can affect a person can be described as complex, as described by Jung, the creator of Analytical Psychology, who describes the coexistence of complexes. For example, people can have strong father complex, where the word has a very big impact on their life.

Origin of the term Complex

The term, as said before, was created by Carl Gustav Jung, also called by him "emotionally charged complexes" or "complex of ideas toned down by feelings".

In the meantime, he described the term as an unconscious "node", that is, unconscious beliefs and feelings that are detectable, indirectly, by human behaviors that were difficult to understand.

To get evidence of complexes, Jung developed word association tests, where people said the first thing that came to their mind when they read certain words. From this, the research showed unusual reactions, such as hesitations, emotions, lapses in speech, etc. In this way, he detected subjects' responses to words, indicating the existence of unconscious feelings.

Thus, for Jung's theory, there are numerous types of complexes, but the core to any type of complex is the existence of a pattern of experience, positive or negative. In this sense, Jung highlights as main types of complex:

• Anima: "knot" of man's feelings and beliefs towards the opposite sex;
• Animus: woman's psyche.

Above all, for Jung, it is normal to have complexes, because they are part of the emotional experiences The negative complexes, although normal, cause pain and suffering.

Jungian and Freudian theories on what is complex

The main difference between Jungian and Freudian theories about the explanation of complex is that Jung proposed several types of complexes, whereas Freud focused mainly on the Oedipus Complex.

Although Freud also discussed the Electra complex together, Jung addressed many other complexes, as well as how they play a role in human psychology. It is worth noting that Freud and Jung worked together for years, when they separated due to differences in ideas. Then, to distinguish their ideas, Jung called his discoveries "Analytical Psychology".

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Jung's Theory of Complexities

Carl Gustav Jung, creator of the term, brought a well elaborated theory about the formation of Complexes. Above all, he demonstrates that the complexes come from archetypes, present in the unconscious.

In other words, the from the archetypes attracted to our lives that we arrive at the complexes Archetypes, in short, are nothing more than what we consider as an example, a pattern to be followed.

To materialize, a good example is the Divine Complex, whose development starts from the God archetype and the religious experiences that people have during their lives.

In this sense, you can notice several types of complexes during your life, both in yourself and in the people around you, such as, for example, Inferiority Complex, Maternal Complex, Guilt Complex, among others. In other words, this alone consolidates Jung's theory that there are countless types and that they are part of our daily life.

How does Jung's complex structure work?

In short, the complex is formed by images and related memories that, in some cases, may be of painful or unconsciously repressed events. In this sense, emotion provides the "link" to keep everything associated.

Thus, the central element of this structure is the image and experience that form the core, which is composed of two distinct parts:

• image or psychic impression of the original experience;
• an innate or archetypal part connected to this experience;
• The dual core of the complex grows by accumulating associations throughout life.

So the Complex grows larger and larger as it accumulates material, until it is strong enough to penetrate the territory of Consciousness. Thus the Complex is inherently bifurcated, containing elements from both the conscious and the unconscious worlds.

Thus, as the Complex expands and becomes larger, its parts transform and interrelate. It acquires the ability to manifest and influence consciousness, and also to affect physical reality.

After all, how important is it to understand the complex?

Our active complexes - whether conscious or not - direct our psychological lives. For example, an individual who can't leave the house may be as stuck in a complex as an entrepreneur with a strong wealth and authority complex, or a fantasy-filled nymphomaniac.

In everyday life, people tend to act according to their greatest complexes. For example, someone who is afraid of open places (agoraphobia) will naturally avoid these places and even think or imagine them, since simply hearing or talking about them already generates the feeling of intense fear in his or her mind.

However, if the person has noted their complex, the challenge now is to know how to get out of it. Know that if you have a complex that is damaging your life, it is possible to get out of it and conquer your quality of life Besides working on self-knowledge, it is also important to seek help from a mental health professional.

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For example, through therapy sessions it will be possible to understand the causes of your complex analyze how it affects your life, and work with specific techniques to help you overcome it.

Finally, if you want to learn more about the theme of this article and the other subjects that involve knowledge of the human psyche, we invite you to get to know our Training Course in Clinical Psychoanalysis, offered by IBPC.

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