Introduction
A complex is an unconscious organized set of memories, associations, fantasies, expectations, and behavior patterns or tendencies around a core element which is accompanied by strong emotions. It is derived from early developmental experiences which have a problematic or even traumatic character circling around unresolved needs and topics. The complex can be triggered in later life by structurally similar cues, e.g., situations or relationships. In this case, the complex takes hold of the person or better to say of the ego; this is accompanied by strong emotions and typical behavior patterns influenced by the complex. Complexes can also be described as personality parts which, as an organized entity, have a certain autonomy from the ego as the center of the personality. When the complex is at work, it has a strong impact on the state of mind and the person, under its control, feels and behaves differently, e.g., strongly irrational, compared to his or her normal and...
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Roesler, C. (2017). Complex (Jung). In: Zeigler-Hill, V., Shackelford, T. (eds) Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-28099-8_575-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-28099-8_575-1
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