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Carl Jung pioneered the principles of positive psychology. An article by Llewellyn E. van Zyl Ph.D. from Psychology Today Key points Carl Jung pioneered ideas of personal growth, strengths, meaning, and well-being. Jung's individuation process mirrors modern thinking on self-actualization and personal growth. Jung stressed meaning and purpose as crucial for mental health and well-being. Jung's idea about archetypes laid the foundation for psychology's emphasis on strength-based growth. If you've ever read anything about positive psychology, you've likely come across names like Martin Seligman and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, who hailed in the discipline in 2000. But the roots of positive psychology can be traced a lot further back, all the way to Carl Jung. Yes, the same Carl Jung often associated with the shadow, archetypes, and the unconscious . While history has overlooked his contributions, Jung was perhaps the first true pioneer of what we now call positive psychology. Let's look at his contributions to a now flourishing field. The Hidden Positive Side of the Psyche Jung was deeply passionate about understanding how individuals can grow, develop, and ultimately thrive. At a time when Freud ’s psychoanalysis dominated psychology with its strong focus on psychopathology, Jung believed that every individual has the potential for growth and fulfilment. In his work, Jung (1908) challenged the negative views of the human psyche and instead proposed that individuals possess an innate ability to move toward wholeness and well-being. He didn’t just ask, “What’s wrong with you?” He also asked, “What’s right with you?” Individuation: A Journey to Wholeness One of Jung’s most significant contributions to positive psychology is the concept of individuation. This is the process of integrating all the parts of our personality to become whole or our "true selves." Unlike concepts such as self-actualisation, which focuses on reaching a final, optimal state of functioning, Jung believed that individuation was a lifelong journey of personal growth and development. He saw it as integrating all aspects of one’s personality, the good and the bad, into a unified, authentic self. Individuation is not about becoming perfect. It's really about becoming whole by embracing that we are flawed beings with both developmental areas/weaknesses and strengths. For Jung, individuation was a pathway to true personal growth and fulfilment. These ideas mirror positive psychology’s emphasis on balancing the positive and negative and reaching one’s full potential. The Importance of Meaning Jung’s influence on positive psychology is perhaps most evident in his exploration of meaning. In Modern Man in Search of a Soul (1933), Jung suggested that many psychological problems stem from a lack of purpose and that searching for purpose was a central part of the human experience. Jung famously said, “Man can stand the most incredible hardships when he is convinced that they make sense.” This insight laid the groundwork for Viktor Frankl’s logotherapy and the ideas in his book Man’s Search for Meaning . By proposing that every individual needs to connect to something larger than themselves, Jung in his later theories pushed for people to find deeper meaning and purpose as a means to achieve full individuation. In the context of positive psychology, meaning is a critical component of well-being. Research consistently shows that meaning is one of the strongest predictors of happiness , success, and resilience . Jung’s early conceptual work anticipated what we now take as common knowledge: The search for meaning isn’t a luxury but a fundamental human need. Embracing Strengths, Archetypes, and Self-Reflection Jung’s exploration of archetypes as universal, recurring symbols or themes in the human experience was ground-breaking. He believed that archetypes, such as The Hero, The Wise Old Man, or The Caregiver , represent potential paths for personal growth. The archetypal patterns provide individuals with frameworks for understanding their strengths, much like how positive psychology encourages people to identify and cultivate their strengths today. Jung argued that connecting with archetypes helps individuals unlock their inner resources, which helps them develop a greater sense of self-awareness and leads them to a more fulfilled life. His idea is echoed in modern positive psychology’s emphasis on leveraging one's strengths as a path to flourishing. Further, he also promoted self-reflection and introspection as a means of self-healing, which are both central techniques used in the majority of positive psychological interventions aimed at improving well-being. The Shadow and Positive Transformation One of the more controversial aspects of Jung’s theory at the time was his concept of the shadow: the dark parts of ourselves we hide, deny, or reject. While it might seem counterintuitive, Jung saw embracing of our shadow as a pathway to personal growth. By confronting and integrating our shadow, he argued, we can achieve a more authentic and complete version of ourselves. Although positive psychology often focuses on strengths and virtues, it doesn’t shy away from the fact that growth often comes from facing challenges and adversities. More modern approaches in positive psychology states that we need to understand, and appreciate the value of negative experiences, as these are what help push us to grow. Jung’s work reminds us that happiness and well-being aren’t about avoiding negative experiences but, rather, confronting them and valuing them for the contributions they make to our growth trajectories. In this way, Jung anticipated the modern positive psychology view of post-traumatic growth , whereby individuals grow stronger and more resilient after facing adversity. Spirituality and Transcendence Another area in which Jung’s influence shines is his exploration of spirituality and transcendence. He believed that spirituality plays a crucial role in psychological well-being. Jung’s approach wasn’t about religion per se but, rather, about connecting with something greater than oneself, which echoes the positive psychology focus on spirituality as a pathway to well-being. This aspect of transcendence and connection is a cornerstone of the positive psychology movement and a core virtue in the VIA Strengths Framework. The idea that feeling part of something bigger than ourselves can enhance our sense of purpose, meaning, and happiness is deeply rooted in Jung’s theories. Conclusion So, was Carl Jung the real father of positive psychology? The evidence is hard to ignore. While he might not have coined the term, he was undoubtedly its first true champion. He mapped out the terrain long before Seligman arrived, showing us that the path to a fulfilling life isn’t about avoiding the darkness but integrating it. References Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Character Strengths and Virtues: A Handbook and Classification . Oxford University Press. Seligman, M. E., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2000). Positive psychology: An introduction (Vol. 55, No. 1, p. 5). American Psychological Association. Seligman, M. E. P. (2011). Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-being . Free Press. van Zyl, L. E., Gaffaney, J., van der Vaart, L., Dik, B. J., & Donaldson, S. I. (2024). The critiques and criticisms of positive psychology: A systematic review. The Journal of Positive Psychology , 19 (2), 206-235. I'd like to thank Prof. dr. Danie du Toit for his input on earlier drafts of this manuscript.

How do you perceive the world? In this animation video we introduce Sensing (S) and Intuition (N). We explain the two different ways of perceiving our outer and inner worlds in a visual and musical way. This animation video was produced by BAPT member, Josh Leach. Script, Animation, Voiceover and Music by Josh Leach, BAPT member Script and Production by Jerry Gilpin, BAPT Treasurer Editing by Shaun Hill

In this animation video we explore two different decision-making styles, Thinking and Feeling, and how they can be Extraverted or Introverted.

BAPT Conference 2025 Feedback Form Q1 What is your overall view of the BAPT 2025 Conference? Very High Quality High Quality Neither High or Low Low Quality Very Low Quality Q2 How would you rate the quality of organisation (signing up, accessing sessions, technical matters)? Very Satisfied Satisfied Neither Satisfied or Dissatisfied Dissatisfied Very Dissatisfied Q3 How would you rate the quality of input (the actual sessions)? Very High Quality High Quality Neither High or Low Low Quality Very Low Quality Q4 How would you rate the quality of pre-work and handouts provided (where appropriate)? Very Useful Useful Somewhat Useful Not So Useful No At All Useful Q5 How helpful did you find the networking opportunities? Extremely Helpful Very Helpful Somewhat Useful Not So Useful Not Useful At All Q6 How satisfied were you with the range of topics on offer? Very Satisfied Satisfied Neither Satisfied or Dissatisfied Dissatisfied Very Dissatisfied Q7 What did you feel about the length of the sessions at the conference? Much Too Short Too Short About Right Too Long Much Too Long Q8 What was your impression of the length of the conference? Too Short About Right Too Long Q9 Was the conference good value for money? Extremely Valuable Very Valuable Somewhat Valuable Not So Valuable Not At All Valuable Q10 Over the next 12 months, which of the following options best describes your feelings? I would like to attend an in-person conference in the UK if at all possible I would likely attend an in-person conference in the UK as well as an online conference and/or event(s) I would attend an online conference and/or events, but NOT an in-person conference I would be unlikely to attend any further events of any kind Q11 Overall, how would you sum up your feelings about this conference? Submit

Here you'll find a comprehensive calendar of events for BAPT and other Associations for Psychological Type across the globe, including in-person conferences, online workshops, group discussions, and round tables. Type Events From Around the World Our enthusiasm for personality unites associations from around the world, creating a space for members to explore, connect, and grow. Here, you'll find a comprehensive calendar of events for our own organisation and others across the globe, including in-person conferences, online workshops, group discussions, and round tables. Whether you're a seasoned expert or new to the field, our events cater to all levels of interest in understanding the complexities of personality and human behaviour. Join us in discovering what makes us unique and how we can better understand ourselves and others across the world.

The British Association for Psychological Type (BAPT) is a non-profit, membership-led organisation based in the United Kingdom that focuses on promoting the understanding and application of personality type, particularly the psychological type model developed by Carl Jung and popularised by the best known and most trusted personality self-discovery tool - Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI). Saturday 5th April - Virtual Event BAPT Virtual Conference 2025 THE POWER OF PERSONALITY: EQ UNLOCKED Registration open now. Register Now More Info What is BAPT? Personality. Let's Talk About It. About BAPT Every day, across the world, people strive to discover just what it is that makes them who they are - why they act, think and feel in certain ways…and why others may be different. The British Association for Psychological Type (BAPT) is a non-profit, membership-led organisation based in the United Kingdom that focuses on promoting the understanding and application of personality type, particularly the psychological type model developed by Carl Jung and popularised by the best known and most trusted personality self-discovery tool - Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI). At BAPT we are fully committed to working collaboratively and engaging with other Type Associations and enthusiasts across the globe. Come Grow! Become a Whole Person Personal Growth Make a difference in your home, community and the world Relationships and Family Work and Career Live with more understanding of yourself and others Personal Growth Relationships and Family Join our community Our annual conference Learning and support from the type community Webinars An Ethical Voice for Type Our Values Ethical Accessible Inclusive Sustainable Find out more Do you share our enthusiasm for type? Join the conversation! Conferences Subscribe to our newsletter For non-BAPT members: Stay informed about our upcoming events and newly released content about psychological type available to members and non-members. First name Last name Email Sign Up Thank you for subscribing!