Character, Personality, Identiy, and Archetypes - Some Thoughts & Activities to help you learn more about yourself.pdf

Think about your identity and learn more about who you really are! The slides include several activities. One of them consists of playing with archetypes.

1. Character, Personality, Identity,
and Archetypes
Some Thoughts & Activities
to Help You Learn More about Yourself
by Gudrun Dreher, Ph.D.

2. Character
The English word “CHARACTER” comes from the Greek verb kharaktēr, which means ‘to engrave.’
Originally, “charcter” thus referred to an ‘engraved
mark’ or a ‘symbol imprinted on the body,’ as well
as, in a more metaphorical sense, to a ‘symbol or
imprint on the soul.’
(see: https://www.etymonline.com/word/character )
In Hellenistic times, the meaning of kharaktēr was
extended and came to denote ‘a defining quality’ or ‘an individual feature,’ which, later on, in
English, was braodened even more and came to
stand for ‘a sum of qulities that define a person or
thing and distinguish it from another.’
It is usually this latter definition that we have in
mind when we comment on the ‘character’ of a
person (real or imagined) or when we talk about
the fictional ‘characters’ or ‘people’ that populate
stories, novels, movies, and plays.

3. Personality
The term “PERSONALITY” is usually defined as ‘a
characteristic way of thinking,feeling, and behaving.’
According to the Encyclopedia Britannica,
Personality embraces moods, attitudes, and opinions and
is most clearly expressed in interactions with other
people. It includes behavioral characteristics, both
inherentand acquired, that distinguish one person from
another and that can be observed in people’s relations to
the environmentand to the social group.
(from: https://www.britannica.com/topic/personality)
In psychology, research about personality centers
mainly around two ideas:
Øone focuses on “the DIFFERENCES that exist between
people” and tries to classify and explain these
differences in a systematic way,
Øthe other stresses all “those qualities that make all
people alike and that distinguish {…] [them] from other
species,” such as tigers or elephants, or dolphins or
spiders.
(from: https://www.britannica.com/topic/personality)
vWho am I?
vWhat is it that makes
me unique & different
from everybody else?
vWhat is it that we all
share?

4. Identity
•The topic of identity is a topic that has been discussed in a
variety of literary works. Some of my favourite examples
include:Langston Hughes’s “Theme for English B,” Prince
Ea’s“I Am NOT Black”, Rumi’s “Only Breath,” Thich Nhat
Hanh’s “Call Me by My True Names,” Wayson Choy’s The
Jade Peony, Jhumpa Lahiri’s The Namesake,Thomas King’s
The Truth about Stories, and many others.
Many of these literary works focus(mostly)on cultural
identity, but as humans,we also have an identity that is
much more specific than the culture(s) we belong to.
I would therefore like to invite youto think about those
aspects of your identitythat are more personal and unique
than your culture.
Short Preliminary Activity
Please think about and write down what DEFINES you and
makes YOU uniquely YOU!
You can do this in point form or draw images.
We will come back to this later.

5. Identity in Today’s Western World
Many people who have grown up in the West–and, since
Western thinking has been spreading to most other parts of
our Planet, many people who have grown up in other parts
of the World as well –have a strong sense of PERSONAL
IDENTITY–although some of them may not be able to
formulate the ideas they have about themselves in words.
ØFor example, most people have a NAME–or a nick-
name –and want to be identifiedby it.
ØMost people also want to express OUTWARDLY who they
are –for example, in the way they dress and/or style their
hairand/or wear a scarf, jewelry,or body art and/or
speakand/or behave.
Images from:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d7MB3O63JLw/U0Les6Qb-
yI/AAAAAAAAF7g/ZlIlZ5NdkGw/s1600/50+Amazing+Women%27s+Business+Fashion+Trends+%2831%2
9.jpg&
https://images.esellerpro.com/2466/I/721/27/38628.jpg&
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/23/4d/5a/234d5a3f41a27c818b59fe1b708df33a.jpg&
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AHHnHsOMsMY/T4nFDs1zbzI/AAAAAAAACqM/15ovY-
FPqtg/s1600/Casual+Dresses+For+mens++Boss+Hugo+Boss+Sports+Wear+for+Gents++Mens+Wear+Cas
ual+Collection+2012-2013,+he99.blogspot+%2811%29.jpg&
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/7e/73/c6/7e73c68f80e534550d82d0410033c0b1.jpg

6. Identity in Today’s Western World (cont.)
ØPeople also express who they are by their selection of
FRIENDS,
Øand/or by choosing a certain PROFESSIONand/or
HOBBY/ ACTIVITY,

7. Identity in Today’s Western World (cont.)
Øand/or by designing their
HOME in a way that somehow
REPRESENTS or even
SYMBOLIZES them.
Images from:
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/7f/5a/4a/7f5a4a9d2beea3e10644ab5c09c172dd.jpg&
http://hendricksarchitect.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Storybook-Potters-Lodge-Exterior-4.jpg&
https://greenerideal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Eco-Arch-Kent.jpg& https://apts.jp/system/depository/content/22/japanese_tatami_room.jpg

8. Identity in Today’s Western World (cont.)
ØIn school, most of us were also
encouraged by our parents to
“STAND OUT” and DISTINGUISH
OURSELVES from others -either
academicallyand/or in sports
and/or in the sciencesor arts or in
popularity. This is also what Tom
Shadyacmentions in his film I Am.
ØIn today’s world, how many
YouTube or Instagram followers
someone has or how much money
someone makes are regarded as
objective MEASUREMENTS of
SUCCESSthat nobody seems to
question.

9. Identity in Today’s Western World (cont.)
ØAlthough most of us know –because we have
learned it in our biology classes –that we are
all animalsand that we share most of our DNA
not only with other animal species but also
with plants, we humans who are influenced by
the Western tradition seem to feel the need to
SET OURSELVES APART from the rest of the
universe.
ØThe Biblical CREATION MYTH (Genesis), in
which God creates man as the HIGHLIGHTof
his 7-day week as well as the SCIENCE STORY
OF EVOLUTION are clear expressions of this
wish to be at the TOP–and BETTERthan
everybody else -which, of course, is highly
questionable–in particular, given the fact that
no other species is as destructive as humans.
Image on the right from:
https://lucyram9517.blogspot.com/2015/09/its-time-
to-re-evaluate-our.html

10. Identity in Today’s Western World (cont.)
This idea that humans are at the top of creation, has
therefore also given rise to much irony and satire.
Images from:http://www.buzzland.it/2016/02/25-vignette-ironiche-sullevoluzione-della-specia-umana.html

11. Identity in Today’s Western World
(cont.)
Maslow’s Hierarchy of
Needs and/or Motivations
symbolizes the same
belief that we EVOLVE
from more basic beings
that only care about food and shelter (a trait we
share with most other life
forms) to people who
become increasingly
sophisticated and
unique.
Image from:
https://printablegraphics.in/wp-
content/uploads/2017/09/Maslow-hierarchy-of-
needs-diagram-3.jpg

12. Identity in Today’s
Western World
(cont.)
Our understanding
of IDENTITYitself
is similarly
HIERARCHICAL, as
the illustration on
the right
demonstrates.
Personal Identity Unique Characteristics & Experiences & Memories etc
[Multi-] Cultural Identity/ies: Mix of Several Cultures (with Layers & Dimensions)Partly Shared (with various groups that might overlap or not)
Human Identity
Shared with All Members of the Human Species
Animal IdentityShared with ALL Animals:e.g.: certain needs (for food & sleep & shelter, etc) &possession of emotions (pleasure, pain, fear, anger, love, etc.)

13. Identity in Today’s Western World (cont.)
Philosophers and Scientists have wondered for centuries
in particular aboutthe top part of this pyramid: OUR
PERSONAL IDENTITY.
Although most scientists and philosophers seem to agree
in their observations that each of us is UNIQUE, what
exactly it isthat makes us unique –and, for example,
allows one of us to express our unique CREATIVITY by
being a musical geniusand another by becoming a top
athlete orscientist -has been hotly debated not only in
academic circles but also by “the general public.”
Theories range from looking for answers Øin our DNA (see for example, the article “Is creative ability determined by our
DNA?”: https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2013/09/20/is-creative-ability-determined-by-our-dna/)
Øor chemicals in our brain (e.g. “The Science behind Creativity: How Brain
Chemistry Influences Us”: https://kristinaludwig.wordpress.com/2014/03/06/the-science-
behind-creativity-how-brain-chemistry-influences-us/) on the one side,
Øto ascribing everything to a “divine will” on the other (e.g.“God’s Good Gift of Creativity”: http://www.rayfowler.org/sermons/gods-good-creation-series/gods-good-gift-of-
creativity/).

14. Identity in Today’s Western World (cont.)
Øpeople do NOT seem to be able to find a clear ANSWER to the question what exactly
INDIVIDUALITY is and WHERE IT COMES FROM
and:
Øthat the question who WE, as INDIVIDUAL
BEINGS, really ARE has INTERESTED US for
CENTURIES –and still keepsus engaged TODAY.
My two favorite ANSWERS from the PASThave been given
•by ROMANTICISM and
•byEXISTENTIALISM.
Interestingly enough, bothmovements were also
REBELLIOUS RESPONSES to what was going on at their
particular times.
I will comment on Romanticism and Existentialism in
more detail some other time.
Although I have toadmit that cannot take either of these
extreme positions seriously, it is obvious that in the
Western world:

15. Identity in Psychology
Let’s now have a quick look at Identity in Psychology.
Psychologistshave written extensively about
personal, cultural, and collective IDENTITY.
Image from: https://darkdirtyimmature.wordpress.com/2017/09/07/the-philosophy-psychology-of-rick-and-morty/
See also video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJRZQGFYpZY&t=13s
One famous example
was SIGMUND FREUD,
who saw identity as
DUALISTIC: torn between
the “ID” and the
“Superego.”
Although the model
looks at first glance like a
tri-part model, ID and
SUPEREGO are clear
opposites, while the EGO
is trying to mediate
between the more
instinctualand the more
moral parts of the self.

16. Identity in Psychology
For a really greatdramatic explanation of Freud’s
model, please watch this short clip:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJRZQGFYpZY&t=13s

17. Identity in Psychology (cont.)
While FREUD was very focused on the individual in its individuated form –which culminated in his foundation of PSYCHOANALYSIS(with it’s focus on the personal past), the main interest of his contemporary CARL JUNG was theCOLLECTIVE UNCONSCIOUS,expressed, for example, in the commonalities of DREAMS-which seemed to give a person access to a realm of knowledge located outside of the individual human mind.
ARCHETYPES, too, were considered to bepart of this collective unconscious and were therefore universal.
Information from:
https://www.harleytherapy.co.uk/counselling/freud-vs-jung-similarities-differences.htm
Image from:
https://all-free-download.com/free-vector/download/dream-universe_59175.html

18. Archetypes
The English term “ARCHETYPE” comes from two Greek
words, namely: typos, which means ‘mark,’ ‘impression,’
‘type’and arkhein, a verb that can be translated as ‘to be
the first.’ An archetypethus refers to the ‘original model’ or
‘first form,’ from which all later copies are derived.
(see: https://www.etymonline.com/word/archetype)
Image from: https://www.fabipaolini.com/wp-
content/uploads/2016/09/BRANDINGPOST-27.png
According to Carl Jung, ARCHETYPES
are at the core of the human psyche
and therefore find expression in many
of the themes, symbols, and
characters of great literary works.
In terms of (fictional) characters, 12
different ARCHETYPES are usually
being distinguished.
Although some of the details of the
descriptions –and, occasionally, some
aspects of the classification –can vary
slightly from person to person, the
main distinctions remain quite similar.

19. Archetypes (cont.)
Please read the following short article as introduction to
the most famous 12 Archetypes:
https://www.centreofexcellence.com/what-are-the-12-jungian-archetypes/
For a slightly different collection of 12 Archetypes, see:
https://www.centreofexcellence.com/what-are-the-12-jungian-archetypes/
Here two different visual illustrations of the 12 Jungian Archetypes
Images from:https://i.pinimg.com/736x/a7/69/88/a76988153d7efb5f2b878877653f6938.jpghttp://acrystalwish.blogspot.com/2015/07/the-twelve-archetypes-stages-of-heros.html

20. Identity in Psychology (cont.)
Many other classifications of PERSONALITY TYPES were based on Carl Jung’s insights about archetypes.
Probably the most famous model is the MYERS-BRIGGS CLASSIFICATION,which distinguishes
16 personality types based on 4 pairs of opposites:
vIntrovert vs Extrovert
vINtuitivevs Sensing
vFeeling vs. Thinking
vPerceiving vs. Judging
Each type is a combination of FOUR LETTERS
that reflect the person’s dominance in each
pair of opposites.
Example:
INFP=
Introvert & INtuitive& Feeling & Perceiving
Image from:
https://www.personalityclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/infp-profile.png

21. Identity in Psychology (cont.)
According to one article, INFPsare characterized by the following traits:
ØThey need to feel inspired.
ØThey are deeply in touch with their values.
ØThey want to connect with the essence of life.
ØCreative expression is the lifeblood of INFPs.
ØINFPs are healers of emotional wounds.
ØOther people dump their problems on them.
ØWhen INFPs feel passionate about something they are unstoppable.
Knowing your personality type can be very important both
for choosing a careerthat is suitablefor you as well as for
finding fulfillment in your personal life!
Info from: https://introvertdear.com/news/10-type-secrets-of-the-infp/
ØINFPs don’t just want just
ANY job but need a job
§in which they can express their
creativity & individuality,
§that takes advantage of their
ability to see unique solutions,
§that gives them independence
inhowthey do their job —
including how and when they
complete projects.
ØThey can only live with people
who share their values.
ØThey shy away from conflict.

22. Activity 1
Don’t worry if the description is NOT true. Consider it more a game J
Link: http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/jtypes2.asp
I would therefore like to invite you all to play a bit
and to take this really interestingMyers-Briggs
PERSONALITY TYPE QUIZ to find out to which of the
16 personality typesyou belong!
Image from:
https://adulting.tv/wp-
content/uploads/2016/10/personality-
types.jpg

23. Identity in Psychology (cont.)
It consists of 6 different
personality types, which he
calls:
ØArtistic -> the Creator
ØSocial -> the Helper
ØInvestigative -> the Thinker
ØEnterprising -> the Persuader/
Leader
ØRealistic -> the Doer
ØConventional -> the Organizer
Image & Information from:
https://careerdevelopmenttheory.fandom.com/wiki/Vocational
_Personalities_and_Environments?file=Personality.jpg
An ALTERNATIVE MODEL has been developed by
John Holland.

24. Activity 2
Please take John Holland’s personality type test here:
https://openpsychometrics.org/tests/RIASEC/
Then compare the RESULTS you have received in the two quizzes
(i.e.Myers-Briggs & Holland).
•What do you LIKEabout each?
•What do you DISLIKEabout each?
•Which one do you think is more ACCURATE in describing you?
Example of Test Result
From:https://openpsychometrics.org/tests/RIASEC/

25. Activity 3:
Face(s) and Masks
vWhat does your TRUE FACE look like?
vTry to capture your true face in an IMAGE
(you can either use a photo or draw
something or you can find an image that
characterizes you on the internet).
vWhat are your FAVORITE MASKS?
vPlease use TWO VISUAL
REPRESENTATIONS of MASKS you would
like to wear.
vWhydo you LIKE these masks?
vHow do they make you FEEL?
Images from:
http://www.morrisondesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMG_0630-
e1398546090200.jpghttps://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1015/7601/products/deku_split_rip_grande.jpg?v=15031
06574
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/a1/b5/22/a1b5226d71ed8f91a369ea9b6391f038--art-therapy-masks-art-therapy-ideas.jpg

26. Activity 4:
Face(s) and Masks (cont.)
What do you think of the following QUOTES
about FACE(S) and/or MASKS?
No man, for any considerable period, can
wear one face to himself and another to the
multitude, without finally getting bewildered
as to which may be the true.
―Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter
We all wear masks, and the time comes when
we cannot remove them without removing
some of our own skin.
―André Berthiaume
Horror is the removal of masks.
―Robert Bloch
The irony of life is that those who wear masks
often tell us more truths than those with open
faces.
―Marie Lu, The Rose Society

27. Activity 5:
Face(s) and Masks (cont.)
Now, look at your own FACEBOOK and/or other Social Media
page:
ØWhat kind of IDENTITYare you displaying to “the world” –or at
least, to your friends?
ØIs this your TRUE IDENTIY or are you wearing a MASK or MASKS?
ØIf so, why? If not, why not?
Reflect on how you would like to be KNOWN or PERCEIVED by
OTHER PEOPLE!
ØDoes your Facebook page reflect your IDEAL SELF-
REPRESENTAION?
Compare your FACEBOOK page to some of your friends’
FACEBOOK pages:
ØDo you see any MASKS there?
ØIf so, what do you think your friends are hiding?
ØCan you think of any REASON(S) for this behavior?
Feel free to talk about your observations with your friends.

28. Activity 6:
At the beginning of these slides,
I have asked you to write down what it is that DEFINES you and makes YOU
uniquely YOU!
I would like to invite you NOW to think about this topic a bit more and to come
up withsomething ORIGINALabout your
PERSONAL IDENTITY.
You can do this in any form / way you wish –including, of course, CREATIVE
APPROACHES.
Feel free to share what you have discovered
about yourself with your family members
and/or friends -or keep it to yourself for now
and think about it some more.

29. Now It’s
Time to Play:
Activity 7

30. Choosing Archetypes
Please have another
look at the famous
12 ARCHETYPES that
I have introduced to
you earlier in these
slides.
Then choose your
favorite THREE
ARCHETPES from
them.
Image from:
http://acrystalwish.blogspot.com/2015/07/th
e-twelve-archetypes-stages-of-heros.html

31. Choosing
Archetypes
Alternatively, you can choose your favorite THREE ARCHETPES
from the archetype cards by Caroline Myss:
https://www.myss.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Gallery-of-Archetypes.pdf
Give your chosen three archetypes
a personal IDENTITY, including:
Øa name,
Øunique physical features,
Øa time and place where they exist.
NOTE:
What you come up with can be realistic
or fantasy or a combination of both.

32. Making Your Chosen
Archetypes Coma Alive
Now make your three chosen archetypes really come alive by
imagining:
Øwhat they like & dislike,
Øwhat their key values are ,
Øhow exactly they look like and
dress and move,
Øhow they speak and think,
Øhow they behave and interact with other people.
Try to use as many DETAILS as you can to make your archetypes
become ‘fully alive’ in your mind!

33. Making Your Characters
Interact in a Story / Movie
You can do the following part of the activity either on your own or
in a group together with some friends.
If you are ON YOUR OWN, please do the following:
ØImagine that your THREE CHARACTERS become part of ONE STORY or MOVIE.
ØCome up with a scenario (time, place, reason/occasion) that justifies that they interact.
ØCreate an interesting plot or story-line for them!
ØWrite some dialogues.
ØIf you like, please share your manuscript with
some of your family members and/or friends.

34. Making Your Characters
Interact in a Story / Movie
If you prefer working – or rather, playing – in a group, together with some friends, please proceed as follows:
ØAsk your friends to choose three archetypes and to imagine them as very unique beings (just like you have done earlier).
ØPlease describe your three characters to your friends – and ask them to describe theirs to you and whoever else is in your group.
ØThen choose at least ONE character per person and imagine that these 3 or more characters become part of ONE STORY or MOVIE.
ØCome up with a scenario (time, place, reason/occasion) that justifies that they interact (they do not necessarily have to be together all at once, but each character should meet at least two of the other charaters).
ØCreate an interesting plot or story-line!
ØWrite some dialogues.

35. Act Out Your
Story or Movie Script
Optional Addition:
Please ACT OUT what you have come
up with.
ØYou are welcome to use costumes
and/or props for this purpose!
ØMake it fun for yourself and your
audience!
ØYou can also videotape your performance and share with friends.
If you do NOT wish to act, you can also just write a short story or a poem or a
play. Of course, you are welcome to share your manuscript as well.

36. Thank
you!
I hope you enjoyed the activities J
Note: If not otherwise specified, the images in these slides are from Pixabay
(https://pixabay.com).