Anima/Animus

Abstract

The theory of the individuation process is the key concept of Jungian therapy. The goal of individuation is to become more and more who we really are, distinct from others and yet in relationship to others. This process is a series of confrontational dialogues between us and the world, the human beings to whom we are related and bound and the inner world of the complexes and the archetypes. An essential part of this process, according to Jung, is that a man becomes conscious of his anima, and a woman of her animus, in order to differentiate him or herself from it, and not be dominated by it. The relationship with the anima--which in Jung's oeuvre is given more attention than the animus--gives vitality, creativity and flexibility. It is greatly to Jung's credit that he continually emphasizes that 'female' elements exist in every man, just as 'male' elements are in every woman, and that these elements also need to be acknowledged. Jung's concept of the anima and the animus has enabled many individuals to accept themselves as they are and not as they should be according to rigid gender stereotypes. On the other hand, in describing anima and animus, Jung is basically using the established gender stereotypes of his time to define what is female and what is male. The concept of anima and animus has become quite popular because it explains falling in love and 'inexplicable' fascinations with an other onto whom we find ourselves projecting anima or animus, or both; it explains 'impossible' love, and also why we behave sometimes in a relationship in a way we do not intend to and do not understand because, for example, we take on the role of an anima that someone is projecting onto us. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved) (from the chapter)