Carl Jung’s concept of archetypes refers to universal, recurring patterns or symbols found in the human unconscious. These archetypes are part of our collective unconscious, a layer of the unconscious mind shared by all humans, according to Jung. They are inherited and manifest in myths, art, culture, and religion across epochs. Archetypes generate powerful emotions, which may become overvalued and conspiratorial and may progress to extreme overvalued beliefs and targeted violence.
An extreme overvalued belief is one that is shared by others in a person’s cultural, religious, or subcultural group. The belief is often relished, amplified, and defended by the possessor of the belief and should be differentiated from an obsession or a delusion. The belief grows more dominant over time, more refined, and more resistant to challenge. The individual has an intense emotional commitment to the belief and may carry out violent behavior in its service.
Princess Diana, JFK, and 9/11
Consider the immense and lengthy outpouring of grief following the deaths of Princess Diana and John F. Kennedy, or the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Despite the fact that most people didn’t actually know Princess Diana, on Sept. 6, 1997, her funeral was watched by 2.5 billion people worldwide, making it one of the most unprecedented shared, collective grief reactions in history. This archetype, found in many legends including children’s storybooks, was that of a young and beautiful princess. JFK’s presidency was also described as a royal phenomenon dubbed “Camelot.”
In the wake of these events, conspiracy theories were born and continue to this day. Familiar themes include that the CIA, mafia, or military-industrial complex killed JFK or that Diana was killed by the royal family. Emotions associated with such events are universal, intense, and shared. Human brains tag emotionally laden events that become embedded in our collective unconscious memories. The emotions after JFK’s death also helped Congress pass civil rights legislation and helped NASA land men on the Moon (another emotionally laden event). Assassination attempts on President Donald Trump may have bolstered his re-election.
While Jung himself did not specifically focus on “violence” as an archetype, the idea of violence can certainly be explored through the lens of archetypes. A religious experience, a charismatic leader, or witnessing an event or video online can transform into an extreme overvalued belief. Terrorists often seek the archetype of hero or celebrity status.
The Warrior
Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh reportedly watched several emotionally laden events in his life. He watched the Branch Davidian compound burn down in Waco, Texas, which he blamed on a tyrannical U.S. government. McVeigh was said to have dreamed of becoming an “ultimate warrior.” He tried and failed to join the special forces and later reportedly believed that his bombing of a federal building would make him the leader of a second American revolution. Such identification as a pseudo-commando or warrior may have crystallized in his mind, making him a pseudo-commando or warrior for his depraved cause.
The Ideologue
- Characteristics: Highly intellectual, driven by a rigid ideological framework, and deeply committed to a vision of how the world should be.
- Motive: Belief in a grand cause, often related to religious, political, or nationalist ideals. They may see themselves as advancing a historical or divine mission.
- Example: Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (ISIS), Anwar al-Awlaki (Al-Qaeda), Qanon, Separatists.
The Martyr
- Characteristics: Willing to sacrifice their life for a cause, often motivated by religious or ideological beliefs. They may see their death as a way to achieve a higher purpose or gain spiritual rewards. Can be driven by a desire to inspire others or to avenge perceived wrongs.
- Example: Suicide bombers, such as those in the Palestinian conflict or the 9/11 hijackers. Malik Vidal Hassan (Fort Hood shooter) was reportedly inspired by Al-Qaeda.
The Celebrity
- Characteristics: Narcissistic, persuasive, and manipulative, this individual is often seeking glorification through attaining celebrity status.
- Motive: A deep desire to expand the group, increase its influence, or fulfill a sense of personal mission. They may be driven by a belief that they are saving others by bringing them into the fold.
- Example: Radical preachers, online propagandists, election influencers, or individuals who recruit young people into terrorist cells.
Unconscious Essential Reads
The Victim-Turned-Extremist
- Characteristics: This person has experienced trauma or victimization (often due to perceived injustice, oppression, or violence) and becomes radicalized as a response. They might engage in terrorism as a form of revenge or to redress the perceived wrongs against their community or people.
- Motive: Trauma or displacement, such as that caused by war, poverty, or persecution, can transform a victim into an extremist. Often, they feel betrayed by systems of power and view violence as a means of retribution or self-defense.
- Example: Members of radicalized groups like Boko Haram, where local populations suffer from military abuses and turn to violence as a form of resistance.
The Anarchist/Anti-State Rebel
- Characteristics: A person who opposes established authority and sees the state, institutions, or structures of power as inherently corrupt. This archetype may reject traditional political systems entirely and aim to overthrow or destroy them, often through acts of violence against state infrastructure, corporations, or symbolic targets.
- Motive: A profound rejection of the status quo, seeing state and capitalist structures as oppressive or illegitimate. They might aim for a utopian society where individual freedoms are prioritized over government control.
- Example: Individuals associated with groups like Antifa, or historically, groups like the Weather Underground, or the anarchist bombing campaigns of the early 20th century.
The Opportunistic Covert Agent
- Characteristics: Often a sleeper agent who integrates into society and waits for an opportunity to act. They may have been radicalized or recruited for espionage or sabotage within the target country or community, often working quietly until an opportunity arises to execute an attack.
- Motive: Strategic objectives tied to espionage, sabotage, or triggering larger-scale upheaval or violence. They may be motivated by an extreme overvalued belief in a cause or personal vendetta.
- Example: Agents of espionage who infiltrate and sabotage governments, often seen in state-sponsored terrorism or covert operations.
These archetypes highlight the various motivations, backgrounds, and strategies of individuals involved in terrorism, offering insight into the diverse ways people become engaged in violent extremism. However, these categories are not always mutually exclusive, and many individuals may embody more than one archetype, depending on the context or their evolving role in a terrorist organization. Jung believed that archetypes guide human behavior, thought, and experiences. By becoming aware of these patterns, individuals can better understand their motivations and achieve greater psychological balance.
