I'm supposed to make a PowerPoint about the collective unconscious of my culture, but I just don't understand the idea of it. What exactly are some of the collective unconscious symbols?? It didn't really explain it in the textbook...

Let me give you a few symbols.

a young woman wearing a miniskirt
an older woman wearing a miniskirt
A very pregnant woman wearing a miniskirt.

A very fat person eating a whopper with bacon, jumbo fries, with a shake.

A black teen with a knife in his hand.

A motorcycle baby on her own bike.

A baby in its crib.

a picture of the front of a church.

Now on the concept itself. Jung supported these collective unconscious, Freud did not. Freud looked to individual unconscious, and Jung looked to culture psyche. Frankly, I tend to agree with Freud, which is rare for me.
I guess it depends on what you are trying to treat.

Since this is not my area of expertise in psychology, I searched Google under the key words "Collective unconscious symbols" to get these possible sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anima_(Jung)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadow_(psychology)
http://www.mythsdreamssymbols.com/termnology.html
http://www.mythsdreamssymbols.com/whatiscollectiveunconscious.html

These are just some of the potential sources. In the future, you can find the information you desire more quickly, if you use appropriate key words to do your own search. Also see http://hanlib.sou.edu/searchtools/.

I hope this helps a little more. Thanks for asking.

im doing the same paper, and your question helped my a bunch! thanks!

Understanding the concept of collective unconscious and identifying its symbols can indeed be complex. The collective unconscious is a concept introduced by Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung. It refers to the shared reservoir of knowledge, experience, and ancestral memories that we inherit as part of the human species. These memories and archetypes are not specific to any particular culture or society but are universal and common to all human beings.

To discover some of the symbols associated with the collective unconscious, you can follow these steps:

1. Research archetypes: Start by researching archetypes, which are universal patterns or symbols that have a collective meaning across cultures. Examples include the hero, the mother, the trickster, the wise old man, etc. These archetypes often emerge in myths, fairy tales, and religious and spiritual texts.

2. Identify recurring symbols: Pay attention to recurring symbols and patterns in different cultures or throughout history. For instance, the sun, moon, water, tree, snake, or labyrinth are often symbolically charged and appear in various cultures, representing deeper meanings.

3. Analyze dreams and myths: Dreams and myths often contain symbolic imagery that can provide insights into the collective unconscious. Analyzing the symbols present in myths, folklore, and the dreams of various individuals can give you a broader understanding of the collective unconscious.

4. Consider cultural symbols: Though collective unconscious symbols are universal, they may manifest differently within different cultural contexts. Explore symbols specific to your culture or community, such as flags, national animals, religious symbols, or traditional patterns, and analyze their underlying meanings.

Remember, the collective unconscious is a vast and complex concept, and its symbols may vary depending on various factors. It is important to do thorough research, consult scholarly sources, and analyze different cultural contexts to gain a comprehensive understanding of the collective unconscious and the symbols associated with it.