1. What is Mark’s attitude, according to Jungian theory? Provide evidence for your answer.
Mark is “outgoing and happy. He loves life and lives it to its fullest. He isn’t an introspective person.” According to the Jungian theory, Mark is an extrovert. He is defined as such by his excited behavior while being active, socializing, and the center of attention. In addition, Mark’s job is consumed by constant activity and danger.
2. What is Mark’s superior function, according to Jungian theory? Provide evidence for your answer.
Mark states that at work he “does not feel fear, but rather caution.” As such, Mark’s superior function is the irrational functional of sensing. He uses his intuition to perform his job as a firefighter and, ultimately, to experience the world.
3. According to Jung’s theory, what archetype has mark been influenced by? How do you know this? How does it influence his behavior? Is Mark aware of its influence? Explain.
Mark’s career path of choice offers insight into that he was influenced by archetypes of strong courageous heroes.
This would lead one to believe he has been influenced by the hero archetype. Mark feels a need to save others, and by acting on this desire he believes he is making a difference. Expanding on that thought, as he is aware that helping others comforts him and offers him a purpose in his life, it can be inferred that Mark is aware of this influence and that he is aware that the praise makes him feel good about himself.
4. At what stage is Mark presently, according to the Jung theory? Specify sub stage if appropriate, if appropriate. What types of events should be occurring at this stage?
Presently, although Mark is twenty-eight years old, his actions present the possibility that he is still in the childhood stage of development: Mark is in the youth stage, according to Jung’s terminology. It is possible that Mark falls into the monarchic stage of childhood development: he seeks thrill, but shows the development of logical and abstract thinking.
5. At what stage, in Jungian theory, was Mark when he was pretending to be a superhero? Specify sub-stage if appropriate.
Under the Jungian theory, whilst Mark was pretending to be a superhero, he was most likely in the archaic sub-stage of the childhood stage. This would explain his constant pretending of being a superhero.
Theory Comparison Questions
1. Use another theory, besides Jung’s, to explain Mark’s career choice. For the purpose of this question, I will be using the theories of Sigmund Freud. As such, Freud would delve into and further elaborate the influence of Mark’s childhood. Freud would view Mark’s childhood experiences of playing superhero games to explain his behavior later in life. In conclusion, Freud would believe that these experiences meant Mark was likely already predestined to obtain a career such as being a firefighter.
2. How could environmental factors, such as reinforcements and punishment, explain Mark’s career choice? What are some reinforcements that encourage this behavior? How is the focus of this explanation different than that of Jung’s theory in explaining Mark’s career choice? In the form of the multiple “thank you’s!” and the continuous praise he receives as a firefighter, Mark’s behavior of acting like a superhero is reinforced. These beliefs of his awaken his unconscious belief that he needs thanks and praise in order to achieve the high-esteem of manhood.
3. How could Eysenck’s concept of extraversion explain Mark’s career choice? What other behaviors could this concept explain? Eysenck’s explains that extroverts are sociable and active, both of which are present in firefighting. Even as a young child, Mark attained very extroverted qualities. As such, he continued down an extroverted path, per say, which lead him towards firefighting. Mark’s other behaviors that exhibit a need for constant activity, renovating the kitchen of the fire station during his free time, explain this concept.