What do complexes refer to in Carl Jung's Analytical Psychology?

In Carl Jung's Analytical Psychology, complexes refer to psychological themes that are rooted in emotions, typically unconscious and often associated with personal experiences, traumas, or significant life events. A complex can consist of a cluster of related thoughts, feelings, and memories that are organized around a specific theme or archetype.

For instance, one might have a “mother complex,” which encompasses a range of feelings, perceptions, and memories regarding one's relationship with their mother. These complexes influence an individual's thoughts and behaviors, often operating outside of conscious awareness. Jung believed that understanding and integrating these complexes into the conscious self is crucial for personal development and achieving psychological balance.

While repressed memories can be associated with complexes, they are not synonymous; complexes encompass a broader scope of emotions and themes. The conflict between id and superego is a concept from Freudian psychology, distinct from Jung's focus. Social constructs in personal identity pertain more to sociological or cultural frameworks and do not directly relate to Jung’s interpretation of psychological complexes.