4 Archetypes of Carl Jung

Department of Psychology

University of Mianwali

Course Title: Personality Psychology

Course Code: PSYCH-6118

Department of Psychology

Tanzeel Fatima

BPSYF21M006

Semester 6th Regular

Session ( 2021-2025)

Ms. Irfana Bibi

Lecture

University of Mianwali

University of Mianwali
Department of Psychology
 Archetypes
Archetypes are fundamental, universal symbols or patterns that Carl Gustav Jung, a Swiss

psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, proposed to exist in the collective unconscious of humanity.

In Greek, the word ‘arché‘ means original, while ‘típos‘ means model. In other words, the

archetype is, therefore, the model on which we interpret the surrounding things, events, and

situations in our lives. It is, in simple terms, the basis of our behavior.

These archetypes represent shared human experiences, themes, and characters that

transcend cultural and historical boundaries. Jung identified various archetypes, each with

its own unique characteristics, roles, and significance in shaping human thoughts, behaviors,

and perceptions. According to Jung (1921): ‘the term archetype is not meant to denote an

inherited idea, but rather an inherited mode of functioning, corresponding to the inborn way

in which the chick emerges from the egg, the bird builds its nest, a certain kind of wasp stings

the motor ganglion of the caterpillar, and eels find their way to the Bermudas. In other words,

it is a “pattern of behaviour”. This aspect of the archetype, the purely biological one, is the

proper concern of scientific psychology’.

Jung (1947) believes symbols from different cultures are often very similar because they

have emerged from archetypes shared by the whole human race which are part of our

collective unconscious. For Jung, our primitive past becomes the basis of the human psyche,

directing and influencing present behavior. Jung claimed to identify a large number of

archetypes but paid special attention to following four archetypes:

The Persona

The persona (or mask) is the outward face we present to the world. It conceals our real self

and Jung describes it as the “conformity” archetype. This is the public face or role a person

presents to others as someone different from who we really are (like an actor). The Persona,

as explained by Carl Jung, is the aspect of our personality that we present to the world as a
means of social adaptation and personal convenience. The term originates from the Greek

word for the masks that ancient actors used, symbolizing the roles we play in public. You

could think of the Persona as the ‘public relations representative’ of our ego, or the packaging

that presents our ego to the outside world. A well-adapted Persona can greatly contribute to

our social success, as it mirrors our true personality traits and adapts to different social

contexts. However, problems can arise when a person overly identifies with their Persona,

unable to differentiate between their professional role and their authentic self. An example

would be a teacher who continuously treats everyone as if they were their students, or

someone who is overly authoritative outside their work environment. While this can be

frustrating for others, it’s more problematic for the individual as it can lead to an incomplete

realization of their full personality. The Persona is shaped during childhood, driven by the

need to conform to the expectations of parents, teachers, and peers. This usually results in the

Persona encompassing the more socially acceptable traits, while the less desirable ones

become part of the Shadow, another essential part of Jung’s personality theory.

The Anima/Animus

Another archetype is the anima/animus. The “anima/animus” is the mirror image of our

biological sex, that is, the unconscious feminine side in males and the masculine tendencies

in women. Each sex manifests the attitudes and behavior of the other by virtue of centuries of

living together. For men, there exists an Anima (a feminine inner personality), and for

women, an Animus (a masculine inner personality). These archetypes are derived both from

collective ideas of femininity and masculinity and from individual experiences with the

opposite sex, beginning with the person’s parents. The Anima and Animus exist in the

unconscious as counterbalances to a person’s conscious sexual identity, serving to

complement their experience and understanding of their own gender. Like the Shadow, the

Anima and Animus are often first encountered through projection. For example, the
phenomenon of “love at first sight” can be explained as a man projecting his Anima onto a

woman (or vice versa), which leads to an immediate and intense attraction.

Jung acknowledged that so-called “masculine” traits (like autonomy, separateness, and

aggression) and “feminine” traits (like nurturance, relatedness, and empathy) were not

confined to one gender or superior to the other. Instead, he saw them as parts of a holistic

psychological spectrum present in every individual, opposing Freud’s predominantly

masculine-centric theory. The Anima and Animus represent our ‘otherness’, connecting the

ego to the broader psyche, thus forming bridges to the unconscious. Engaging with these

complexes can enrich an individual’s understanding of their gender and self.

The Shadow

The Shadow archetype, as defined by Carl Jung, encapsulates the parts of ourselves that

we may reject, disown, or simply don’t recognize. Rooted in both our personal and collective

unconscious, the Shadow contains traits that we consciously oppose, often contrasting those

presented in our Persona – the outward ‘mask’ we show to the world. This is the animal side

of our personality (like the id in Freud). It is the source of both our creative and destructive

energies. In line with evolutionary theory, it may be that Jung’s archetypes reflect

predispositions that once had survival value. The Shadow isn’t merely negative; it provides

depth and balance to our personality, reflecting the principle that every aspect of one’s

personality has a compensatory counterpart. This is symbolized in the idea: “where there is

light, there must also be shadow”. Overemphasis on the Persona, while neglecting the

Shadow, can result in a superficial personality, preoccupied with others’ perceptions. Shadow

elements often manifest when we project disliked traits onto others, serving as mirrors to our

disowned aspects. Engaging with our Shadow can be challenging, but it’s crucial for a

balanced personality. This process, which can involve recognizing and integrating these

‘dark’ elements into our conscious self, aids in fostering a well-rounded personality.
The Self

Finally, there is the self which provides a sense of unity in experience. For Jung, the

ultimate aim of every individual is to achieve a state of selfhood (similar to self-

actualization), and in this respect, Jung (like Erikson) is moving in the direction of a more

humanist orientation. That was certainly Jung’s belief and in his book “The Undiscovered

Self” he argued that many of the problems of modern life are caused by “man’s progressive

alienation from his instinctual foundation.” One aspect of this is his views on the significance

of the anima and the animus. Jung argues that these archetypes are products of the collective

experience of men and women living together. However, in modern Western civilization men

are discouraged from living their feminine side and women from expressing masculine

tendencies.

For Jung, the result was that the full psychological development both sexes was

undermined. Together with the prevailing patriarchal culture of Western civilization, this has

led to the devaluation of feminine qualities altogether, and the predominance of the persona

(the mask) has elevated insincerity to a way of life which goes unquestioned by millions in

their everyday life.

What Do Archetype Do?

Archetypes play three vital roles in our lives. They:

1. Influence our behavior

2. Trigger emotions

3. Provide us with a sense of meaning

Archetypes Influence Behavior

Jung described archetypes as “the forms which the instincts assume.” In Archetypes and

the Collective Unconscious, he explains: “[There] is good reason for supposing that the

archetypes are the unconscious images of the instincts themselves, in other words, that they
are patterns of instinctual behaviors.” Instincts are like biological urges. When we trigger an

instinct, it activates a pattern of behavior like running a software program on a computer.

Because these patterns are pre-existing, archetypes are predictable. For example, no matter

what image of the Hero you hold in mind, certain patterns of behavior and personality traits

arise like bravery, valor, persistence, and action. So when you think of archetypes, think of

set patterns of behavior shared by all of humanity.

Archetypes Trigger Emotions

In Man and His Symbols, Jung explains that archetypes “are the pieces of life itself—

images that are integrally connected to the living individual by the bridge of the emotions.”

When you experience an emotion, it is the emotion of an archetype. Different archetypal

images evoke different emotions. Lovers are passionate. Kings are magnanimous. Warriors

are courageous. Sadists are hateful. Savvy advertisers use sight, sound, and motion in

commercials to trigger specific archetypal patterns within the minds of potential customers.

That is, they are consciously manipulating the public by evoking emotions that lead to

specific patterns of behavior.

Archetypes Provide Meaning

Archetypes influence us in two primary ways:

 Outwardly through our behavior in the external world

 Inwardly through the primordial images in our inner world

Every human being has an inner world. It’s the home of our dreams, fantasies,

imagination, and emotional life. This inner world is the source of personal meaning.

Archetypes tap into the emotions of our inner world and give life a sense of personal

meaning. It is for this reason that inner work is so important. For Jung, the first half of life is

meant to be external as we ideally develop our egos in healthy ways.