- they are a way to describe instinctual structures, patterns, to put language to some of our shared experiences. - they are part of the unconscious realm; we can perceive them, but not direct or change them. - e.g, [[{1.4a3a} mother and father archetypes]] – one might grow up without a biological parent but still experience these archetypes. - other people may take on these roles, but you also experience the archetype in the absence of it.