The Archetype Quiz reveals which of the 12 Jungian psychic structures you have. Are you the Innocent, Sage, Explorer, Hero, Outlaw, Lover, or else? Analyze your personality to find out.
Archetypes are recurring patterns in stories and in people. The idea comes from Carl Jung’s work on the collective unconscious. In simple terms, some core images and roles appear across cultures and time. If you know which one you lean toward, you can better explain your choices, values, and style. For a short reference on the psychology terms, see the APA Dictionary definition of “archetype”.
What this quiz measures
This quiz uses the popular 12-type framework developed by Carol S. Pearson and colleagues, which adapts Jungian ideas for practical self-reflection. It looks at your dominant motives, fears, and promises. The result highlights one primary archetype and notes close runners-up when they matter. For background, you can read Pearson’s overview of the 12 archetypes.
How your result is determined
- A series of brief situational questions collects your preferences.
- Each choice has a weight mapped to one or more archetypes.
- The system totals your scores and surfaces the best fit.
- When two types are close, you may see a secondary note.
This is not a clinical assessment. It is a structured self-report that helps you reflect on patterns you already notice in life and work.
The 12 archetypes in brief
Below is a quick snapshot of the classic set. Use it to make sense of your outcome. Names can vary across sources, but the core ideas stay steady.
- Innocent: seeks safety and simple goodness. Core fear is doing wrong.
- Everyperson: values belonging and fairness. Wants to be part of the group.
- Hero: pursues achievement and courage. Confronts challenges head-on.
- Caregiver: protects and nurtures. Gives support and builds trust.
- Explorer: wants freedom and new experiences. Wanders and experiments.
- Creator: aims to build and express. Turns ideas into form.
- Ruler: prefers order and responsibility. Determined and orderly.
- Magician: catalyzes change. Look for insight that transforms.
- Lover: seeks intimacy, beauty, and connection. Values commitment.
- Sage: pursues truth and understanding. Observes before acting.
- Jester: brings joy and perspective. Uses humor to lower the heat.
- Outlaw: challenges the status quo. Daring and disruptive.
Accuracy and limits of our quiz
Your answers reflect how you see yourself today. That can shift over time. Results are guides, not labels. If you want a broader foundation, skim a general reference like the Britannica overview of archetypes, then compare it with your outcome here.
Other options after knowing the result
Archetypes focus on shared story roles. Other tools look at traits or motives in different ways. If you want a typology that maps core motives and stress patterns, try our Enneagram Test. It pairs well with archetypes because it speaks to why a behavior repeats, not just the role it serves.
Many readers like to explore gendered lenses and media-based patterns after getting an archetype. If that sounds useful, check the Feminine Archetypes Quiz for a focused look at energy and expression.
Knowing your pattern helps you speak more clearly about needs and boundaries. If you want a quick check on how you exchange information under stress or in teams, you can try the Communication Style Quiz once you have your archetype result.
Responsible use
This quiz is for reflection. It is not a diagnosis or therapy. If you are dealing with mental health concerns, reach out to a licensed professional. If you want a deeper study, you can review Jung’s core ideas, such as the shadow and the self, in an academic dictionary or encyclopedia and compare them with your lived experience.