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In this amazing little book, Christian Roesler reviews Jung's concept of the archetype, presents further developments by post-Jungian authors, assesses major scientific findings that have an impact on Jung's original definition(s), and shows the importance of archetypes in several case studies. Roesler summarizes the central tenets of Jung's theory. He concludes that archetypes are universal, inherent patterns of experience and behaviour which manifest during one's lifetime in typical, identifiable, emotional patterns (pp. 7-9).
It is easy to get lost in the wealth of material around archetypes, both by the changes in Jung's thinking about them during his lifetime and by subsequent interpretations of his theories. Therefore, it is valuable that Roesler concentrates on what are major topics, such as the individuation process and analytic practice, while including references to mythology, symbols and ethnology, particularly as they apply to the analysis of dreams. He emphasizes a fundamental Jungian principle that the unconscious, particularly the archetypes of the collective unconscious, may, at times of crisis in a person's life, give indications of what is needed to restore balance within a psyche.
Roesler extends Jung's basic definition of archetype, showing first how analysts who were contemporary with Jung (Fordham, Neuman, Hillman, von Franz) used it, and then, how more recent analysts (Asper, Kast, Knox, Riedel, Samuels and others) have applied it. Reaching outside the domain of analytical psychology, he further addresses modern investigations and scientific research into relevant topics about archetypes. He posits a central premise that incorporates four key points: a universal, a priori structure, with roots within the human genome, their mode of operation is instinctive, although how they manifest is determined by culture (pp. 74-75). He discusses a wide range of scientific research, investigating many facets around archetypal themes, which he brings together