ABOUT CHRISTIAN ROESLER
Dr. Christian Roesler juggles many intersecting roles. Among these, he is Professor of Clinical Psychology at the Catholic University of Applied Sciences in Freiburg, Professor of Analytical Psychology at the University of Basel in Switzerland, and member of the faculty of the C.G.Jung-Institutes in Stuttgart and Zurich. He is also a Jungian psychoanalyst in private practice, specialising in working with couples and families, and in interpretive research methods.
As mentioned in Sarah Hall’s seminar introduction, Roesler’s research is prolific, incorporating work through international collaborations and organisations, producing a broad range of outputs.
More recently, a multifaceted, deep focus on archetype theory through Jung’s concept of archetype and respective disciplines, has resulted in a comprehensive ‘state of knowledge’ review and theoretical reconceptualisation. A part of this work, Roesler’s research on dream theory—the subject of this seminar—has seen the development of the Structural Dream Analysis methodology, integrated into a Jungian therapeutic framework and drawing out new understandings for practice.
Publications from across this work are outlined and linked in the sections below.
Roesler’s work has more broadly addressed aspects of therapy practice and theory, including analytical psychology, the impact of media in psychotherapy and identity, and research practices.
Read more about Christian Roesler’s work across these domains, past and present here.
THE SEMINAR
While archetype theory is the central element of analytical psychology, it is also its most controversial, with intensive debate across the field questioning its foundations and current state. Roesler outlines the issues, highlighting lack of consensus between experts and emphasising the need for a coherent theory.
Complexity arises in-part from inconsistency in interpreting the concept and historical absence of a critical lens.
Through his research, Roesler set out to review and understand archetype theory from different perspectives. He revisits and deconstructs Jung’s original definitions and theoretical underpinnings against current understandings across biological, anthropological, transcendental and psychological domains.
In proposing a re-evaluation of these foundational theories, Roesler argues that the core idea of a universal process of psychological transformation remains valuable. He proposes to start anew in approaching the study of this process, to generate insight into the therapeutic process through research without preconceptions.
Emphasising the limitations of outcome-focused research in psychotherapy, Roesler has developed the method of Structural Dream Analysis that uses a combination of standardised measures and systematic reports, enabling comparability of cases.
This approach focuses on identifying structural elements and patterns in dreams, viewing them as narratives, and emphasising the dream ego’s ability to cope with presented problems.
Roesler presents a four-stage model emerging from this research, providing evidence for the developmental pattern within dreams during therapy. He discusses examples from cases, highlighting and characterising recurring motifs and cultural differences in dreams.
This seminar, chaired by Sarah Hall offers an insightful and thought-provoking overview of Roesler’s significant research into archetype theory and its application in dream analysis. It provides an introduction to his findings, incorporating sources and links to more detailed reports.
SEMINAR SLIDE DECK
& SUPPLEMENT
The seminar provides several layers of detail, incorporating and signposting materials from the research.
The slide deck has been revised to best fit a broad range of screen-based devices. Viewers may wish to rewatch or make use of the 'pause and play' options of the video platform to get the most from this rich layer of supporting material. In addition, we have set out related references, studies and additional sources for individual slides below (see Further Reading & References).
To support your viewing and professional development, we have also provided an outline of the slide deck as a supplement to the presentation. This can be used alongside the video or as a reference. You can download (12 mb) or view this PDF booklet online via the link below.
FURTHER READING
Extending discussion of the research discussed in this seminar are Roesler’s archetype theory research report to the International Association for Analytical Psychology (IAAP) and his publication Deconstructing Archetype Theory: A Critical Analysis of Jungian Ideas (Routledge, 2023). These and further core texts are highlighted in more detail here, with links to the publisher or download site.
A number of publications are referenced throughout the seminar. In the References & Links section below, related references for each presentation slide are set out, including papers, publications, collections, and links to further contextual information for exploration and discovery.
Imagery, where included in slides and web page, is listed alongside credits and licensing information. Every effort has been made to ensure that the appropriate permissions and licenses are in place.
publication
by Christian Roesler
A critical and timely reassessment of one of the cornerstones of analytical psychology, Jung’s concept of archetypes.
Exploring not only Jung’s original writings but also the range of interpretations used by Jungian scholars today, the book argues that Jung’s conceptualization of archetype theory is not a single coherent theory; rather, it is four different theories which must be understood separately. Roesler goes onto deconstruct these four ideas: the biological, the anthropological, the transcendental and the psychological in context with contemporary insights from each of these disciplines. A thorough analysis of the state of knowledge in the respective disciplines (i.e. biology, anthropology, religious and mythological studies) makes clear that the claims archetype theory makes in these fields have no support and should be given up. Deconstructing Archetype Theory concludes by arguing that a universal process of psychological transformation is the only part of archetype theory which should be maintained, as it provides a map for psychotherapy.
Further details here
archetype theory
report | open access
by Christian Roesler
A critical and timely reassessment of one of the cornerstones of analytical psychology, Jung’s concept of archetypes.
Exploring not only Jung’s original writings but also the range of interpretations used by Jungian scholars today, the book argues that Jung’s conceptualization of archetype theory is not a single coherent theory; rather, it is four different theories which must be understood separately. Roesler goes onto deconstruct these four ideas: the biological, the anthropological, the transcendental and the psychological in context with contemporary insights from each of these disciplines. A thorough analysis of the state of knowledge in the respective disciplines (i.e. biology, anthropology, religious and mythological studies) makes clear that the claims archetype theory makes in these fields have no support and should be given up. Deconstructing Archetype Theory concludes by arguing that a universal process of psychological transformation is the only part of archetype theory which should be maintained, as it provides a map for psychotherapy.
The report can be accessed here
archetype theory
publication
by Christian Roesler
Research in Analytical Psychology: Empirical Research provides an original overview of empirical research in Analytical Psychology, focusing on quantitative and qualitative methods. This unique collection of chapters from an international range of contributors covers all the major concepts of Analytical Psychology and provides a strong empirical foundation.
Each chapter provides an overview of research in the field and closes with general conclusions, and the book as a whole will enable practitioners to evaluate the empirical status of their concepts and methods and, where necessary, update them. It also presents the necessary material for a re-evaluation of the status of Analytical Psychology within the broader academic field, supporting a move back into the heart of current debates in psychology and psychotherapy.
Further details here
analytical psychology
publication
by Christian Roesler
The concept of archetypes is at the core of C. G. Jung’s analytical psychology. In this interesting and accessible volume, Roesler summarises the classical theory of archetypes and the archetypal stages of the individuation process as it was developed by Jung and his students. Offering new insights on foundational Jungian topics like the collective unconscious, persona, and shadow, C. G. Jung’s Archetype Concept is of great interest to Jungian students, analysts, psychotherapists, and scholars.
Further details here
archetype theory
REFERENCES & LINKS
JUNG'S COLLECTED WORKS
Note: References to The Collected Works of C. G. Jung are cited in the in the slides as CW, volume number, section number (where relevant) and paragraph number. The Collected Works are published in English by Routledge (UK) and Princeton University Press (USA).
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title slide | image
‘Drone over Rhine; Basel at Sunrise.’ BlackBoxGuild. (n.d.) Still, drone footage (edited).
presentation & web page image license Envato Elements.
Roesler, C. (2023) Deconstructing Archetype Theory: A Critical Analysis of Jungian Ideas, Abingdon, Oxon.. Available at www.routledge.com
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results from the iaap research project
Roesler, C. (n.d.) Development of a Reconceptualization of Archetype Theory, Katholische Hochschule Freiburg, International Association for Analytical Psychology [Online]. Available at iaap.org/resources/research
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problem: there is no consensual definition
Mills, J. (2018). The Essence of Archetypes. International Journal of Jungian Studies, 10(3), 199-220. (p. 1) Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/19409052.2018.1503808
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contemporary views
Knox, J. (2003). Archetype, Attachment, Analysis: Jungian psychology and the emergent mind. New York: Brunner-Routledge.
Merchant, J. (2009). A reappraisal of classical archetype theory and its implications for theory and practice. Journal of Analytical Psychology, 54(3), 339-358.
Thelen, E., & Smith, L. B. (1994). A Dynamic Systems Approach to the Development of Cognition and Action. Cambridge, England: MIT Press.
Hogenson. G.B. (2005) The Self, the symbolic and synchronicity: Virtual realities and the emergence of the psyche. J. Anal. Psychol. 50, 271‒284. (p.279)
Sanders, P., & Skar, P. (2001). Archetypes, complexes and self-organisation. Journal of Analytical Psychology, 46 (2), 305-323. https://doi.org/10.1111/1465-5922.00238 | ResearchGate
McDowell, M. J. (2001). Principle of organization: a dynamic-systems view of the archetype-as-such. Journal of Analytical Psychology, 46(4), 637-654.
Van Eewynk, J. R. (1991). Archetypes: the strange attractors of the psyche. Journal of Analytical Psychology, 36(1), 1-25. Available from: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1465-5922.1991.00001.x
Stevens, A. (2003). Archetype Revisited: an updated natural history of the Self. Toronto: Inner City Books.
Goodwyn, E. (2010). Approaching archetypes: reconsidering innateness. Journal of Analytical Psychology, 55(4), 502-521.
Haule, J. R. (2011). Jung in the 21st Century: Evolution and Archetype, vol. I. New York: Routledge.
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jung's definitions: archetypes are psychic transformators
Hopcke, R. H. (1989) A Guided Tour of the Collected Works of C.G. Jung, 1999 edn, Boston, Mass., Shambhala.
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problems: the 'this-is-all-the-same-error'
Connolly, A. (2018). Sea changes. The iconic and aesthetic turns in depth psychology. In R. S. Brown (Ed.), Re-Encountering Jung. Analytical psychology and contemporary psychoanalysis (pp. 6882). London/New York: Routledge. (p. 72) Routledge.com
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reification and ontologizing: jungian fundamentalism
Colman, W. (2016). Act and Image: The Emergence of Symbolic Imagination. New Orleans, USA: Spring Journal Inc. (p.2-3)
Samuels, A. (1998). Will the Post-Jungians Survive? In: A. Casement (ed.), Post-Jungians today (pp. 15-32). London: Routledge. (p.21-22)
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not one, but several theories
Roesler, C. (2022) Development of a Reconceptualization of Archetype Theory. Research Report to the IAAP, Katholische Hochschule Freiburg, International Association for Analytical Psychology [Online]. Available at https://iaap.org/resources/research
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no instincts/patterns of behavior in humans
Bischof, N. (1985/2020). Das Rätsel Ödipus. Giessen: Psychsozial.
Gordon, R. (1985). Losing and finding: the location of archetypal experience. Journal of Analytical Psychology, 30(2), 117-133. (p. 131)
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conclusion: defensive strategy
Papadopoulos, R. (Ed.) (1992). Carl Gustav Jung. Critical assessments. Vol. 1: Jung and his method in Context. London & New York: Routledge. (p. 4)
conclusion: scientistic self-misunderstanding
Habermas, J. (1968). Erkenntnis und Interesse. Frankfurt/M.: Suhrkamp.
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homology of phylogeny and ontogeny
see also Ontogeny and Phylogeny (1977), by Stephen Jay Gould, explores Ernst Haeckel's biogenetic law (recapitulation)—the discredited idea that embryonic developmental stages replay the evolutionary transitions of adult forms of an organism's past descendants—and how this idea influenced thinking in biology, theology, and psychology. Publisher page: https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674639416
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examples for colonial thinking in jung
Neumann, E. (1963) The Great Mother: An analysis of the archetype. London: Pantheon. (p. 92)
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conclusion: claimed similarities in cultural habits, beliefs, practices etc. do not exist
resources and links
human cultural diversity
The Database of Places, Language, Culture, and Environment, is an attempt to bring together the dispersed corpus of information describing human cultural diversity. It supports examination of cultural similarities and differences. D-PLACE contains cultural, linguistic, environmental and geographic information for over 1400 human ‘societies’. Available at: d-place.org
Human Relations Area Files, Yale University, promotes understanding of cultural diversity and commonality in the past and present. HRAF produces scholarly resources and infrastructure for research (including databases), teaching and learning, and supports and conducts original research on cross-cultural variation. Available at: hraf.yale.edu
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individuation: a process of psychic transformation i
the hero's journey
image
Joseph Campbell’s Monomyth, Illustration, Jung by the Sea (2024). Icon imagery by barsrsind, creativevip, danjazzia, furnace, hipixel, mycogen, upnowgraphic and wencory, licensed by Envato 2024.
see also
Campbell, J. (1949) The Hero with a Thousand Faces, Bollingen Series XVII, Second Printing (1953)., New York, NY, Pantheon Books (Bollingen Foundation). Borrow from https://archive.org/details/herowiththousand00camp
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core theory: a process of psychic transformation ii
alchemy
Hopcke, R. (1989). A guided tour of the collected works of C. G. Jung. Boston, Shaftesbury: Shambhala. (p.165)
Edinger, E. (1985). Anatomy of the psyche. Alchemical symbolism in psychotherapy. LaSalle, Illinois: Open Court.
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research on complexes and the association experiment
Barret, D. (1996). Dreams in Multiple Personality. In: D. Barret (ed.) Trauma and dreams. Cambridge/Mass.: Harvard University Press.
Overview: Roesler, C. & van Uffelen, B. (2018): Complexes and the unconscious: From the Association Experiment to recent MR/ studies. In: Roesler, C. (ed.): Research in Analytical Psychology. London. Routledge
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research on the content of dreams
personality profile based only on dreams of the person
Hall, C. S., & Van de Castle, R. L. (1966). The content analysis of dreams. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts.
split-off parts of the personality appeared personified in the dreams
Barrett, D. (1996). Dreams in Multiple Personality. In: D. Barrett (ed.). Trauma and dreams. Cambridge/Mass.: Harvard University Press. Available at: Harvard University Press | ResearchGate
themes in the dreams change when a person goes through psychotherapy
Cartwright, R. D. (1977). Night life. Englewood Cliffs: PrenticeHall.
Borrow from: https://archive.org/details/nightlifeexplora00cart
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structural dream analysis: typical pattern (simplified illustration)
presentation image Illustration (simplified) outlining a typical dream pattern through the method of structural dream analysis. Not based on case data. Created by Jung by the Sea (2024) drawing from categories set out in: Roesler, C. (n.d.) The Method of Structural Dream Analysis, Katholische Hochschule Freiburg (unpublished).
see alo
Roesler, C. (2020) Structural Dream Analysis Manual and Case Illustration, Freiburg, Germany. Catholic University Freiburg [Online]. Available at https://iaap.org.
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amalia x, occurrence of dream patterns over time; scatter plot
Image: Amalia X, occurrence of dream patterns over time; scatter plot
Roesler, C. and Widmer, D. (2023) ‘Amalia Revisited—A Reanalysis of Amalia’s Dreams with the Method Structural Dream Analysis’, Brain Sciences, vol. 13, no. 5, p. 796. DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13050796.
presentation image (unedited) Reproduced under the creative commons attribution-share alike 4.0 international deed
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extension of structural dream analysis
development of motif analysis and phase model (map)
Jenni, P. and Roesler, C. (2024) ‘A New Way of Analysing Dreams on Its Profoundest Level: The Development of Motif Analysis and Phase Model (MAP) as an Extension of Structural Dream Analysis (SDA)’, Behavioral Sciences, vol. 14, no. 8, p. 658. DOI: 10.3390/bs14080658 (OA).
presentation image (unedited) Reproduced under the creative commons attribution-share alike 4.0 international deed.
see also
Roesler, C. (2024) ‘The Dream Motif of the Child as a Marker for Therapeutic Transformation’, Catholic University of Applied Sciences Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau: Baden-Württemberg, Germany, 2024, manuscript in preparation.
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comparisons of japanese and western dreams
Roesler, C., Konakawa, H. and Tanaka, Y. (2021) ‘Differences in Dream Content and Structure Between Japanese and Western Dreams’, International Journal of Dream Research, vol. Vol 14, pp. 195-201 DOI: 10.11588/IJODR.2021.2.76966
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references
Roesler, C. and Widmer, D. (2023) ‘Amalia Revisited—A Reanalysis of Amalia’s Dreams with the Method Structural Dream Analysis’, Brain Sciences, vol. 13, no. 5, p. 796 [Online]. DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13050796.
Roesler, C. (2023) ‘Dream Interpretation and Empirical Dream Research – an Overview of Research Findings and Their Connections with Psychoanalytic Dream Theories’, The International Journal of Psychoanalysis, vol. 104, no. 2, pp. 301–330. DOI: 10.1080/00207578.2023.2184268.
Roesler, C., Konakawa, H. and Tanaka, Y. (2021) ‘Differences in Dream Content and Structure Between Japanese and Western Dreams’, International Journal of Dream Research, vol.14, pp.195-201 [Online]. DOI: 10.11588/IJODR.2021.2.76966.
Roesler, C. (2021) Traumdeutung und Traumforschung. Stuttgart: Kohlhammer.
Roesler, C. (2018) ‘Dream Content Corresponds with Dreamer’s Psychological Problems and Personality Structure and with Improvement in Psychotherapy: A Typology of Dream Patterns in Dream Series of Patients in Analytical Psychotherapy.’, Dreaming, vol. 28, no. 4, pp. 303–321. DOI: 10.1037/drm0000092.
Roesler, C. (2018): Structural Dream Analysis: a narrative research method for investigating the meaning of dream series in analytical psychotherapies. International Journal of Dream Research, 11 (1), 21-29.
Roesler, C. (2018): Jungian dream interpretation and empirical dream research. In: Roesler, C. (ed.): Research in Analytical Psychology. London. Routledge. Available at: www.taylorfrancis.com
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a strong tension in jung - and in analytical psychology today
image 01
Interview with C. G. Jung in Küsnacht (Carl Gustav Jung), Swiss psychiatrist, depth psychologist. Comet Photo AG (Zürich) (1955) Film still (cropped). Collection of the ETH-Bibliothek, published on Wikimedia Commons as part of a cooperation with Wikimedia CH.
presentation image Reproduced under the creative commons attribution-share alike 4.0 International license. https://w.wiki/BYDf
image 02
Jung, Carl Gustav (1875-1961) Unbekannt (circa 1935) Gelatine silver print (cropped). Collection of the ETH Library Zurich, Image Archive / Portr_14163.
presentation image this artwork is in the public domain (pd). http://doi.org/10.3932/ethz-a-000046785
image 03
Carl Gustav Jung, full-length portrait, standing in front of building in Burghölzi, Zurich Unknown Photographer (circa 1909) Hand-colored photograph. Collection of the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, Washington D.C. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/ppmsca.07205.
presentation image Wikimedia Commons. this image is in the public domain (pd). https://w.wiki/BYG6
web page
image (background)
Wave safakc1 (undated) digital photograph.
image license Envato Elements, 2024