Archetypes are found in myths and stories across cultures. According to Swiss psychologist Carl Gustav Jung, they are the foundation upon which one's personality is built. Buried deep in the subconscious, they only become apparent when experiences force them to surface, and yet, they’re something that often applies to all of us.
In his writing, Jung identified several archetypes, such as the child (which symbolizes the potential future and personality development), the wise old man (who unsurprisingly represents wisdom), or the shadow (which equates to one's suppressed, darker side — think Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde).
How it started, how it's going
Jung coined the term "archetype" in his 1919 essay "Instinct and the Unconscious". He didn't believe that people develop their personalities from scratch through personal experiences, but instead that there is a "collective unconscious" which is inside all human beings. This encompasses prevalent experiences like fear and love as well as universal symbols, themes, and images — all of which can expressed through archetypes. This makes for a very broad and complex field of study which nowadays includes disciplines like biology, neurology, linguistics, literature, psychology, and many more.
Heavily influenced by Jung's archetypes, comparative mythologist Joseph Campbell examines the similarities between characters and plot structures found in myths around the world in his 1949 book, "The Hero with a Thousand Faces". His theories had a huge impact on generations of authors and screenwriters who took Campbell's ideas as a template for their own stories. Look no further than Star Wars; you'll instantly recognize which characters represent the archetypes of the hero, the sage, the villain, the outlaw, or the messenger.
Archetypes in modern psychology
Jung's ideas inspired several schools of psychology that further develop the concept of the archetype as a tool to better understand or explain the psyche and human behavior. Many of these subdivide the most prominent archetypes into categories, such as ego/soul/self types or families. In Jungian and post-Jungian therapy, archetypes are used and valued for their organizational power.
Intriguing as they may be, Jung's theories have not been spared criticism. Some scholars reject the idea that archetypes originate from a collective unconscious beyond the individual, because it’s not supported by empirical evidence. Similarly, some paranormal aspects of Jung's writing have been deemed problematic, and the genetic basis he proposed for some ideas remains questionable.
Despite this scrutiny, the concept of archetypes continues to captivate scholars and artists alike, and their use in therapy has helped many people to better understand themselves and improve their quality of life.
Taking the archetype test to the next level
Factoring in this complex research, TerraYou has developed an archetype test that builds on Carl Jung's fundamental ideas and combines them with more recent scientific findings.
Because archetypes are by their very nature universal, they allow for relatability, easy understanding, and hence, deeper insight into your personality. Our test explores who you are at work, at heart, and at play, and offers advice on how to grow as a person in these areas.
If you'd like to find out whether you are the fiercely loyal hero, the unapologetic rebel, the vivacious jester, or any of the other archetypes, the TerraYou Archetype Test is just one click away.
