affect
Definition:
The same meaning as ‘emotion’, but it has a distinct meaning in analytical psychology. Affect is an intense feeling that causes agitation i.e. an inner restlessness or excitement and/or physical reactions e.g. pacing, rapid talking, nail-biting, fidgeting. Common work related affect includes inner or mental tension such as anxiety and stress.
Affect is almost impossible to control. It might even feel like an intrusion. It comes up independently of your will and can only be repressed with difficulty. An explosion of affect is an invasion of unconscious contents on the individual and a temporary takeover of the ego (consciousness).
Example:
In Jungian analysis, affects are seen as signals from the unconscious, often revealing areas of conflict or repressed content, and valuable points of discussion in a coaching or analytical therapy session. The focus is on the emotional tone or feeling associated with a difficult inner or outer e.g. work issue, or memory.
Affects can also be discerned not just by their intense emotions, the intensity of the emotion may be disproportionate to the issue facing the client. For example, expressing disproportionate anger toward a minor inconvenience might indicate deeper unresolved frustrations.
Recognising and exploring your affects in therapy or coaching can reveal unconscious material that needs attention.
