The Three Emotional Layers of the Unconscious: the Michael Model
results of three decades of empirical experimentation and observation
See Also:
Uniting Depths: Reconciling Freudian and Jungian Perspectives Through Systems Theory
For over three decades, empirical experimentation and observation have led to the development of the Michael Model, a framework that delineates the unconscious mind into three emotional layers: the Freudian Layer, the Jungian Layer, and the Psychoid Layer. These layers are understood through systems theory as hierarchically nested areas of systemic activity — distinct yet integrated in their functioning. This model offers a comprehensive perspective on the emotional qualities that characterize each layer, providing deeper insight into the complexities of the human psyche.
The first layer, often revealed in neuroses, aligns with Freudian perspectives. Sigmund Freud identified emotions such as fear and anxiety as central to this layer, stemming from repressed desires and unresolved childhood conflicts. A profound nostalgia for the womb represents a longing for the original state of safety and unity, reflecting the emotional undercurrents of dependency and security. Other emotions associated with this layer include guilt, resulting from the internalized standards of the superego clashing with primal desires of the id, and aggression, as an expression of repressed frustrations.
Descending to the next layer — metaphorically described as “lower” in hierarchical terms — we encounter the Jungian Layer, which can be revealed in psychoses. Carl Jung’s exploration of the archetypal depths of the psyche uncovers emotions such as awe, stemming from encounters with the collective unconscious, and profound love, as an expression of unity with all beings. There is often a sense of urgency, as individuals feel compelled to undertake heroic tasks, embodying archetypes like the Hero or the Self. Feelings of completeness and oneness with the universe emerge as the ego dissolves into the broader collective experience, facilitating transformative personal growth.
Jung also glimpsed the next level down, which he referred to as the Psychoid Layer, although he did not fully inhabit it himself. This deepest layer is marked by a high degree of humor, suggesting that the unconscious at its core possesses an intrinsic comedic quality. Theories within psychoanalysis propose that humor serves as a mechanism for the psyche to process and integrate complex or paradoxical truths. The comedic effects produced in language at this depth may reflect the mind’s attempt to reconcile profound insights with everyday understanding, using humor as a bridge between the ineffable and the tangible.
Accompanying this humor is another emotional state that is challenging to articulate — a general bodily tension arising from the intense energetics of this layer. This tension is difficult to sustain over extended periods and eventually subsides as personal transformation unfolds and a new self emerges. Neurocognitive literature suggests that such feelings of strong bodily tension during deep processes of personal transformation may be linked to heightened neural activity and the release of neurotransmitters that affect muscular and visceral sensations. Biological explanations point to the activation of the autonomic nervous system, particularly the sympathetic branch, which prepares the body for significant change.
The current organization of academic research often does not fully accommodate comprehensive exploration into these profound phenomena, given their interdisciplinary nature and the challenges of empirical measurement. Therefore, this blog post will have to suffice — think of it as a casual deep dive into the unconscious without the need for scuba gear. And who knows? Perhaps one day academia will embrace the depths we’ve been navigating. Until then, we’ll keep charting these inner waters, laughing all the way down.
