The 12 Jungian Archetypes and Their Sitcom Alter Egos

"Analytical psychology, developed by psychologist and avid pipe smoker Carl Jung, uses the concept of archetypes to help us better understand the "why" behind our behaviors. According to Jung, archetypes are the building blocks of our mind-they are symbols of people, behaviors, and personalities that represent specific aspects of the human experience. When we understand the archetypes at play in our lives, we get in touch with our own stories and the stories of others that have influenced our behaviors."

"Jung's work has been expanded in many ways (we even use it in drama therapy!). I've found that Carol S. Pearsongenerated a lovely way to break the archetypes down into a 12-archetype system. I will be using her work as a roadmap for this blog as I guide you in taking the first steps to learn more about your archetypes."

"This post is the first in a two-part series exploring 12 psychological archetypes through the lens of your favorite sitcom characters (because let's be honest, therapy and TV both reveal a lot). Let's start with six foundational archetypes that might just explain a few things about yourself-or your go-to comfort show. Our lovable favorites are all prone to predictable attitudes and actions. Let's take a look: The Innocent Sweet, sweet innocents. These little baby angels wish for life to be eas"

Personality quizzes such as Myers-Briggs and Enneagram reveal recurring patterns that inform daily behavior and social interactions. Analytical psychology frames these patterns as Jungian archetypes, symbolic building blocks representing people, behaviors, and personality aspects. Recognizing archetypes connects individuals with personal and inherited narratives that influence coping, communication, and relationship dynamics. A twelve-archetype framework organizes common motifs into distinct, understandable roles. Six foundational archetypes demonstrate predictable attitudes and actions and often appear embodied by sitcom characters, offering accessible mirrors of psychological patterns and practical ways to identify familiar responses and relational tendencies.

Read at Psychology Today