Who is associated with the concept of the "collective unconscious"?

The concept of the "collective unconscious" is strongly associated with Carl Jung, who was a Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst. Jung proposed that in addition to the personal unconscious, which includes an individual's own forgotten or repressed memories, there exists a layer of unconsciousness shared among all humans. This collective unconscious is made up of archetypes, which are universal symbols and themes that emerge in the myths, dreams, and behaviors of various cultures throughout history.

Jung believed that these archetypes form a part of the human experience and can influence individual behavior and thought processes. He suggested that the collective unconscious is a repository of shared experiences and memories that transcend the individual, reflecting the connectedness of humanity.

In contrast, Sigmund Freud's theories center more around the dynamics of the individual psyche and personal unconscious, while Albert Bandura is known for his social learning theory, emphasizing observable behavior and the role of social influence in learning. Erik Erikson's work focuses on psychosocial development through distinct stages across the lifespan, which is quite different from Jung's notion of a shared unconscious layer. Therefore, it is Jung's theories that best align with the idea of the collective unconscious, highlighting his significant contributions to psychology.