Personality Types Versus Archetypes

I’ll be looking at personality types versus archetypes, as the distinction between these two frameworks is considerable. Understanding their fundamental differences is key to interpreting human motivation, behavior, and life purpose. Simply put, personality types focus on observable behaviors and actions, while archetypes represent deeper, universal themes and identities.

Why Archetypes Aren’t Personality Types

Personality types, such as those identified by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) or DISC, focus on categorizing human behavior into specific, defined types of content. They are based on observed traits, preferences, and recurrent behaviors, offering a structured method to understand how individuals typically operate in various situations.

Archetypes, however, are more fluid. They do not fit neatly into personality buckets because they represent human potentialities rather than fixed traits. 

They describe a form of expression that can manifest differently in each individual. While someone with a Justice archetype may consistently seek fairness, how they express and prioritize this need will differ vastly from one person to another.

Another difference between archetypes and personality types is that archetypes are a way of being while personality types are a way of doing. 

Archetypes, as a way of being, embody profound, universal themes that guide identity and life purpose, offering individuals a deeper sense of meaning and direction. For example, the Wisdom Archetype has a lifelong pursuit of wisdom and understanding, shaping the individual’s core existence. 

On the other hand, personality types are a way of doing, highlighting distinct traits and behaviors that dictate everyday interactions and actions. A person with an analytical detail-oriented personality would be a Wisdom Archetype but the focus is more on how they might excel in meticulous tasks or be overly critical but not reflect a purpose or how they can influence humanity with their approach to the world. 

The Business of Using Personality Types Versus Archetypes

During my early years as a salesperson, I was taught to rely heavily on personality types to tailor my pitch to potential clients. The method seemed logical on the surface—categorizing people based on their observable traits and adapting my approach accordingly.

However, no matter how much I tried to apply this framework, it rarely resonated with prospects, leaving me frustrated and discouraged. After experiencing a string of failures, I stumbled upon a way of categorizing humanity rooted in Carl Jung’s four Motivating Archetypes and looking at the symbolic meaning of the objects that surrounded my prospects.

This discovery was a turning point. Unlike personality types, which felt limiting and transactional, archetypes illuminated the deeper motivations driving each person’s decisions and behaviors.

Suddenly, I could connect with people on a more profound level, understanding not just how they acted, but why they acted that way.

By aligning my approach with their core archetype (Life Theme Archetype), I could communicate authentically, which not only improved my sales outcomes but also made the entire process more meaningful.

Archetypes, in my experience, bridge the gap between action and purpose, providing a richer, more human connection in every interaction.

What are the Motivating Archetypes?

The archetypes that are referred to in this article are based on Carl Jung’s Four Motivating Archetypes. These are universal, symbolic patterns that exist in the collective unconscious. Think of them as fundamental blueprints and often  motivating energies that influence behavior and decision-making. He named them Mother, Trickster, Teacher, and Warrior.

After working with these archetypes for decades I renamed them—Love, Justice, Wisdom, and Power.

Love is the archetype that drives individuals to prioritize care and well-being, both for themselves and others. Individuals embodying this archetype might be perceived as nurturing, but their behaviors and motivations are more nuanced than just being ‘caring.’

Justice encapsulates those who are motivated by balance, harmony, and fairness. These individuals strive to bring balance into the world whether it is through social justice work or design and arts creating balance with abstract symmetry.

Wisdom inspires a quest for knowledge, understanding, and insight. Those driven by this archetype are often seen as seekers, teachers, and thinkers, constantly pursuing deeper truths and connections.

Power is about influence and the ability to effect change. It drives individuals to focus on leadership and authority, using their influence to shape environments and outcomes.

Archetypes as Forms–Not Content

Unlike personality types, which categorize individuals based on observable traits and behaviors, archetypes are more abstract. Archetypes are abstract forms, not the content. 

This means that while archetypes set an energetic outline for someone’s life to take place, it is the individual’s unique experiences, choices, and genetic makeup that fill in the details and thus the content.

They represent powerful, motivating drivers within us. They are not static personality traits; instead, they act as guiding forces that shape how individuals interact with the world around them.

Let’s consider the Love archetype, for example. Someone driven by this archetype will channel their energy towards nurturing and caring, but the manifestation of these actions will vary greatly depending on their genetics, life circumstances, personal evolution, and acquired skills.

The Importance of Understanding Archetypes

The distinction between personality types and archetypes reveals a profound insight into how we interpret ourselves and others. Personality types offer a valuable tool for identifying behavioral patterns, providing clarity on how individuals tend to act and interact.

Yet, as this article has demonstrated, archetypes serve a far more nuanced purpose. They are not defined by behaviors but by the universal themes and energies that shape identity and purpose at a foundational level.

The four Motivating Archetypes of Love, Justice, Wisdom, and Power underscore the depth of this approach. Each archetype represents an enduring force that drives human life, transcending cultural and personal boundaries.

Someone guided by the Wisdom archetype, for example, may embody an insatiable thirst for knowledge, but the way this energy manifests depends on their individuality. By differentiating between forms and content, archetypes remind us that we are not limited to fixed traits. They enable us to explore the greater “why” behind what we do.

Understanding this distinction is more than an academic exercise. It invites us to engage in deeper self-reflection, shifting from merely categorizing our behaviors to contemplating the universal patterns shaping our lives.

The timeless questions of who we are and what drives us demand both practical tools and abstract exploration. By integrating the archetypes framework, we open ourselves to a richer landscape of self-awareness, one that honors not just how we operate in the world but also the enduring patterns that guide our existence.

If you’re intrigued by how these archetypes play a role in self actualization visit my articles on the  Love, Justice, Wisdom, and Power archetypes as Life Themes.