Final answer:
The correct answer is option c) A shared reservoir of memories from our species' history.
Step-by-step explanation:
The collective unconscious, as described by Carl Jung, refers to a universal aspect of the unconscious mind that is distinct from the personal unconscious. It serves as a shared reservoir of memories from our species' history. This concept posits that we inherit psychological structures, known as archetypes, which manifest in our behaviors, dreams, and cultural symbols. These archetypes—such as the hero, the maiden, the sage, and the trickster—appear across different cultures and are considered a fundamental part of the human psyche.
Jung's theory of the collective unconscious suggested that these common psychological tendencies are passed down through generations and represent a form of psychological inheritance. Unlike Sigmund Freud's focus on repressed thoughts and desires, Jung believed that the task of integrating the unconscious archetypal aspects of the self is part of self-realization, which lies beyond the scope of personal experiences and memories.
This view formed the basis for Jung's split from Freud and his development of analytical psychology.