Conceptual similarities between Analytical Psychology and Schema Therapy – discussion of McMahon’s article

Abstract

The conceptual correspondence between Jeffrey Young’s Schema Theory and Jung’s complex theory is significant. In order to develop this convergence, the present work provides a differentiated systematic horizontal classification of the concepts in the area of complexes and schemata, and puts forward a shared structure for understanding.
The concepts of “complex” in Analytical Psychology and “schema” in Schema Therapy describe intersubjective behavior, based on basic human social needs, being either met or not met, and can be primarily traced back to childhood. Both Analytical Psychology and Schema Therapy make reference to a model of environmental conditioning/imprinting or learning as well as memory.
This contribution encourages both Analytical Psychology and Schema Therapy to undertake a systematic description of complexes and suggests that this is to be supported with the biological aspects of archetypal models, the “patterns of behavior”, which means taking an ethological perspective.
The present work includes the evolutionary perspective of archetypal readiness of basic human social needs in intersubjective behavior that, in turn, leads to a representation of the psyche’s self-regulation, which is a second basic principle of Analytical Psychology.

Keywords: Analytical Psychology, Schema Therapy, complex, complex episodes, schema, archetypal behavior