Symbol/Meaning Paired-Associate Recall: An “Archetypal Memory” Advantage?

Abstract

The theory of the archetypes and the hypothesis of the collective unconscious are two of the central characteristics of analytical psychology. These provoke, however, varying reactions among academic psychologists. Empirical studies which test these hypotheses are rare. Rosen, Smith, Huston and Gonzales proposed a cognitive psychological experimental paradigm to investigate the nature of archetypes and the collective unconscious as archetypal (evolutionary) memory. In this article we report the results of a cross-cultural replication of Rosen et al. conducted in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. In short, this experiment corroborated previous findings by Rosen et al., based on English speakers, and demonstrated a recall advantage for archetypal symbol meaning pairs vs. other symbol/meaning pairings. The fact that the same pattern of results was observed across two different cultures and languages makes it less likely that they are attributable to a specific cultural or linguistic context.

The Archetype of Intellectual Function: Problems of Description and Research

“…Rosen et al (1991) proposed a cognitive psychological experimental paradigm to investigate the nature of archetypes and the collective unconscious as archetypal (evolutionary) memory. Sotirova-Kohli et al (2013) and Sotirova-Kohli's (2013) experiment corroborated the findings by Rosen et al (1991) about the recall advantage for archetypal symbol meanings. Other symbol/meaning pairings.…”

“…Many researchers note, however, that archetypal structures are not always fully included in the cognition process: a special situation is needed, for example, the situation of cognizing social and cultural objects, for example, people, religious texts and works of art, etc. (Sotirova-Kohli et al, 2013). The tradition of research in this area, for all its small size, is associated precisely with the study of the influence of archetypes on the understanding of religious, artistic, and social objects and situations (Roubekas & Ryba, 2020).…”

Blaming Beauty for the Beast: A Jungian Explanation for the Persistence of Patriarchal Patterns

“…While the concepts of archetypes and a collective unconscious are foundational principles in analytical psychology, there has been little attempt to empirically test these concepts outside of that discipline (Sotirova-Kohli et al, 2013). Part of the problem is that Jung never formulated his theory in a way that would allow easy testing (Stevens, 1994).…”

Symbols analysis in generating insights. A small analytical group case study.

“…Symbols create "trails" of perception and organization of life experiences; establish new possibilities and potentialities for neural system (Sotirova-Kohli et al, 2013). Simultaneously, symbols provide a "notation" system allowing two forms of relations: with external reality and with internal needs, mediating the adaptation processes.…”