JUNG’S ARCHETYPES
Jung called ‘universal thought patterns’ archetypes
Jung discovered that humans have a "preconscious psychic disposition that enables a (man) to
react in a human manner."
Saw reappearance of universal symbols, motifs or themes that may be found among many
different cultures. They recur in the myths of people worldwide.
What are archetypes?
Archetypes are elemental forces which play a vital role in the creation of the world and of the human
mind itself. The ancients called them elemental spirits
How do archetypes operate?
Jung found the archetypal patterns and images in every culture and in every time period of human history.
They behaved according to the same laws in all cases.
He postulated the Collective (Universal) Unconscious to account for this fact.
We humans do not have separate, personal unconscious minds.
We share a single Universal Unconscious.
Four Main Archetypes
1. Persona:
The masks that people wear… hide their true nature
2. Anima and Animus:
Elements of the opposite sex in males and females
Provide balance in the personality
anima: feminine side of males
animus: male side of females
3. Shadow:
Animal side of the personality
most people hide their shadow behind their persona
4. Self:
A life goal…striving for unity and completeness
A combining of the conscious and unconscious mind so the complete self can emerge
Few reach this ….usually spiritual and religious people
Symbols of the unconscious abound in Jungian psychology
The Syzygy ("Divine Couple"), e.g. Gnostic Aeons, Buffy and Angel
The Child, e.g. Linus van Pelt, Dawn Summers
The Übermensch ("Superman", the Omnipotent) e.g. Magneto, Iago, Superman
Hero, e.g. Siegfried, Batman, Beowulf, Luke Skywalker, Neo, Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
The Great Mother, either good or terrible, e.g. Devi (MahaDevi), the Great Goddess, Glinda the
Good Witch of the North.
The Wise old man, e.g. Merlin, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Gandalf, Albus Dumbledore
The Trickster or Ape, e.g. Reynard, Ananse, Robin Goodfellow, Br'er Rabbit, Bart Simpson,
The Puer Aeternus (Latin for "eternal boy"), e.g. Peter Pan, Count of St. Germain, Roland.
The Cosmic Man, e.g. Adam, Pangu, Gayomart
Other archetypes
* Family archetypes
The father: Stern, powerful, controlling, wise
The mother: Feeding, nurturing, soothing
The child: Birth, beginnings, salvation
* Story archetypes
The hero: Rescuer, champion
The maiden: Purity, desire
The wise old man: Knowledge, guidance
The magician: Mysterious, powerful
The earth mother: Nature
The witch or sorceress: Dangerous
The trickster: Deceiving, hidden
* Animal archetypes
The faithful dog: Unquestioning loyalty
The enduring horse: Never giving up
The devious cat: Self-serving
Human Universals
Donald E. Brown
Challenging the assumption that human behavior is primarily determined by culture,
Brown contends that certain behavioral traits are common to human beings everywhere.
fear of death
risk-taking
daily routines
rituals
sweets preferred
tabooed foods
childbirth customs
females do more direct childcare
preference for own children and
close kin (nepotism)
childhood fear of strangers
pretend play
toys, playthings
husband older than wife on
average
incest, prevention or avoidance
hygienic care
food sharing
turn-taking
group living
sexual jealousy
murder proscribed
males dominate public/political
realm
males engage in more
coalitional violence
males more aggressive
males more prone to lethal
violence
dreams
symbolism
social structure
dominance/submission
leaders
cooperation
rites of passage
thumb sucking
tickling
property
materialism
prestige inequalities
trade
tool making
weapons
customary greetings
gift giving
disapproval of stinginess
self-image, awareness of
(concern for what others think)
shame
right-handedness as population
norm
onomatopoeia
fire
death rituals
body adornment
hairstyles
containers
intertwining (eg, weaving)
music related in part to dance
music related in part to religious
activity
music, vocal
melody
rhythm
dance