Character archetypes
The idea of archetypes goes back to the psychiatrist Carl Jung, who noticed the same kinds of characters recurring in myths, stories and dreams. Today archetypes are used loosely, in writing, branding and self-reflection, as a vivid way to describe what someone values and how they meet the world.
MindScale's eight archetypes and their descriptions are our own. They are a lens for self-reflection, not a scientific measure of personality, and most people see something of themselves in several of them.
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The Explorer
Drawn to new places, new experiences and the freedom to find your own way.
- Toward the high end
- The Explorer is strong in people here. New places and experiences call to them, and they dislike feeling boxed in.
- Around the middle
- People here enjoy something new now and then and also like the comfort of the familiar.
- Toward the low end
- Roaming and novelty are not what drive people here most. They may feel happiest where they know their way around.
The Sage
Seeking understanding, truth and the knowledge to see things clearly.
- Toward the high end
- The Sage is strong in people here. They want to understand things deeply and to get to the truth.
- Around the middle
- People here like to understand things, without needing to study everything in depth.
- Toward the low end
- Deep study is not what drives people here most. They may trust experience and instinct more than theory.
The Creator
Wanting to make something new and lasting, and to express yourself through it.
- Toward the high end
- The Creator is strong in people here. They feel most themselves when they're making something of their own.
- Around the middle
- People here enjoy making things now and then and are also happy to enjoy what others make.
- Toward the low end
- Making new things is not what drives people here most. They may get more from using or sharing what exists.
The Caregiver
Looking after others, protecting them and helping them grow.
- Toward the high end
- The Caregiver is strong in people here. Looking after the people around them gives their lives much of their meaning.
- Around the middle
- People here care for others when they need it and keep room for their own needs too.
- Toward the low end
- Looking after others is not what drives people here most. They may show care through respect for people's independence.
The Leader
Taking responsibility, bringing order and steering things toward a goal.
- Toward the high end
- The Leader is strong in people here. They like to take responsibility and steer things where they need to go.
- Around the middle
- People here can take charge when it matters and are happy to let others lead too.
- Toward the low end
- Being in charge is not what drives people here most. They may prefer to contribute without carrying the whole group.
The Rebel
Questioning rules, breaking with what doesn't work and pushing for change.
- Toward the high end
- The Rebel is strong in people here. They question rules that make no sense and push for things to change.
- Around the middle
- People here question some rules and accept others, depending on whether they seem fair.
- Toward the low end
- Breaking with the rules is not what drives people here most. They may see value in tradition and working within the system.
The Entertainer
Bringing fun, humor and lightness, and living in the moment.
- Toward the high end
- The Entertainer is strong in people here. They bring fun and laughter and enjoy living in the moment.
- Around the middle
- People here like fun and a good laugh, and know when to be serious too.
- Toward the low end
- Being the life of the party is not what drives people here most. They may prefer quieter, more serious company.
The Guardian
Being loyal and dependable, keeping things safe and keeping your word.
- Toward the high end
- The Guardian is strong in people here. They are loyal and dependable and keep the people they care about safe.
- Around the middle
- People here are reliable when it counts, without feeling they must hold everything together.
- Toward the low end
- Being the steady protector is not what drives people here most. They may prefer change and freedom to security.
How scoring works
Each statement has five response choices. A response contributes from 1 to 5 points to the scale it belongs to, and the points become a position from 0 to 100. Around 0–33 is the low third, 34–66 is around the middle and 67–100 is the high third.
For the archetype result, the highest position is the closest match. A scale within 10 points of the highest can also appear as close behind, because a questionnaire cannot turn a mix of traits into one perfect box.
The benefits of knowing your archetype
An archetype gives a story-like shape to what matters to you: freedom, understanding, making things, looking after people, steering, questioning, fun or loyalty. That can make your choices easier to explain to yourself and to others.
Each archetype also has a shadow side, the way its best quality can go too far. Seeing that is often the most useful part.
Archetypes in everyday life
You can use your archetype as a prompt: when a choice is hard, ask what your closest archetype would do, and whether that's what you want this time.
Archetypes can also shift with life stages. An explorer at twenty might be a guardian at forty, and both can be true of the same person.
How to take the test
MindScale's archetype test has 40 statements and no time limit. Choose the response that best matches how you usually are, not how you would like to be.
You can go back and change an answer. When you finish, you can unlock your score and full report: $2.95 for 7 days of full access, then $29.95 every 4 weeks until you cancel.
Your score and full report: $2.95 for 7 days of full access, then $29.95 every 4 weeks until you cancel.
Conclusion
MindScale's eight archetypes, from the Explorer to the Guardian, are familiar characters that describe what someone values and how they meet the world. Most people are a blend, with one closest.
If you'd like to find yours, the MindScale archetype test has 40 statements on what you value. The price is shown before you start.
See your own result
Your score and full report: $2.95 for 7 days of full access, then $29.95 every 4 weeks until you cancel.