What term does Carl Jung use to describe the shared experiences and memories of humanity?

Study for the ETS Psychology Test. Improve your skills with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Carl Jung introduced the concept of the collective unconscious to describe a part of the unconscious mind that is shared among all human beings. This concept emphasizes that all humans share a set of memories and experiences that transcend individual consciousness. The collective unconscious contains archetypes, which are universal symbols and themes found across cultures and throughout history. These archetypes influence human behavior, dreams, and experiences.

Jung's theory posits that while individuals might have their personal unconscious filled with unique memories and experiences, the collective unconscious serves as a deeper layer consisting of inherited experiences common to all humanity. This idea highlights the fundamental connections that exist between individuals, reflecting shared aspects of the human psyche rather than personal or cultural differences. Other terms, like personal unconscious and cultural unconscious, refer to individual-specific or context-dependent aspects of psyche, while racial unconscious leans heavily on the racial aspect rather than the broad collective human experience that Jung described with the term "collective unconscious."

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