The theories of personality make for an interesting topic of discussion. It has become known that traits and characteristics individuate personality. However, there is single way to describe someone’s personality. Comparing and contrasting Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung; each has perspectives with different and similar basic or underlying assumptions, describing the relationship between deterministic and free will concepts of humanity, and motives for behavior such as awareness of self. Each proposes strengths and limitations within the theory they describe as well.
Underlying Assumptions
When explaining concepts of personality, one cannot turn a blind eye to Sigmund Freud as he was an innovative mastermind in psychodynamic theory; better known as psychoanalysis. It is a form of theory as well as therapy for individuals to motivate behavior. He treated neurotic disorders for which there were no physical causes leading him to discover psychic determinism. This is an idea that exhibited behavior and personality are determined by psychological factors rather biological conditions or current life events (Westmont Psychology, 2002). He also believes that the unconscious mind controls part of someone’s personality. He explains that the unconscious psychological process determines thought, feelings, and behavior. Thus he created methods for exploring the unconscious known as free association, and analysis of dreams. Two cornerstones of psychoanalysis are sex and aggression because Freud believes that people are born with basic instincts and that these cornerstones are part of it. He also believes that personality develops out of the frustrating effort struggling to meet his or her need (Westmont Psychology, 2002).
In comparison to Freud, Jung developed a theory which rests on phenomena that influences the lives of everyone. He believes that people are motivated by repressed and emotional experiences inherited by our ancestors making up what Jung calls the collective unconscious (Feist & Feist, 2009). This includes the elements that were not experienced but have come to us from our ancestors. Some elements become highly developed by archetypes. Both assumptions are similar in the sense that people may be pushed by past experiences and pulled by future expectations. In contrast to Freud, Jung believes that the unconscious is a source of creativity. He also believes that Freud emphasizes the role of sexuality too much (Feist & Feist, 2009).
Strengths and Limitations
Psychoanalytic therapies help individuals with mild disturbances, and it may even help speed someone’s recovery, but it is not clear as to whether psychoanalysis would help patients get better anyway (Feist & Feist, 2009). Psychoanalysis also creates an imbalance of power between therapist and patient creating ethical issues. Psychoanalysis also opened up a view on mental illness that suggests talking about your problems with a professional could help to relieve symptoms of psychological distress. Analytical psychology has limitations in its validity. The collective unconscious is difficult to test and there are difficulties designing studies because of the lack of empirical evidence for the archetypes (Feist & Feist, 2009). Also the theory is difficult to organize because it makes an attempt to include broad scopes of human activity within a single framework (Feist & Feist, 2009).
Deterministic and Free Will
As stated above, in the matter of human behavior, determinism reigns supreme when speaking of Freud. Past events in an individuals life determines behavior rather than becoming molded by present goals. People have no control over their present actions because behavior is rooted in unconscious strivings (Feist & Feist, 2009). Freud also insists the belief of individuals controlling their own life is an illusion. It is childhood experiences that determine adult personality and the people are not in control of their own actions either. Unlike Freud, Jung did not believe that human behavior was deterministic. He did not believe that human behavior was of free will either. Instead he believes that people are motivated by conscious thought, partial unconscious images, and part of inherited ancestral past. This means that Jung is an advocate of casual and teleological factors of motivation (Feist & Feist, 2009).
Awareness of Self
According to Freud, the awareness of oneself stems from the id, ego, and superego. From birth the id is an important part of our personality because it helps to meet basic needs. It is explained as the id being the pleasure principle meaning that the id of personality will just seek satisfaction without consideration for the reality of the situation (Feist & Feist, 2009). For example, an infant crying only means that the baby is hungry, dirty, or needs nurturing. Until one of these needs is satisfied the baby will continue to cry. The ego has a basis on reality and understands others have needs and desires. The ego meets the needs of the id while simultaneously taking into consideration the situations reality (Feist & Feist, 2009). When the superego emerges, Freud explains by age five, dictates the belief of right and wrong according to the conscious. Freud explains the ego being the strongest form in healthy individuals.
Jung explains the awareness of self stems from the personal unconscious and that people inherit a collective unconscious, which shapes their attitudes, behaviors, and dreams (Feist & Feist, 2009). Part of the collective unconscious is the archetypes including the persona, shadow, anima, animus, great mother, wise old man, hero, and self (Feist & Feist, 2009). The persona is what people show to the rest of the world as the awareness of oneself grows larger. Jung explains that in healthy people, the recognizing of the persona is not mistaken for personality.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is apparent that there is no single way to describe personality. There are many different theories to describe personality; however, Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung, once colleagues to each other, provide similar yet different perspectives to individuating personality. Freud was an innovative mastermind known for treating neurotic disorders for which there were no physical causes leading him to discover psychic determinism through psychoanalysis. Psychoanalytic therapies help individuals with mild disturbances, but are not clear as to whether psychoanalysis would help patients get better anyway. Jung developed a theory which rests on phenomena that influences the lives of everyone meaning people are motivated by repressed and emotional experiences inherited by our ancestors making up what Jung calls the collective unconscious. Jung is an advocate of casual and teleological factors of motivation and that awareness of self stems from the personal unconscious and that people inherit a collective unconscious, which shapes their attitudes, behaviors, and dreams.

References
Feist, J., & Feist, G. (2009). Theories of personality (7th ed.). New York, New York: McGraw Hill.
Westmont Psychology. (2002). Theories of Personality. Retrieved from http://www.westmont.edu/~bsmith/general/lectureoutlines/15personality/psychodynamic.html.