Psychologist reveals the 8 ‘Good Girl’ archetypes from the caretaker to the obedient daughter – so, do you fit into any of them?

A psychologist has revealed the eight ‘Good Girl’ archetypes, from pleaser to enabler, in a post on Instagram.

Clinical psychologist Dr Lalitaa Suglani, based in Birmingham, used social media to outline the concept of the ‘Good Girl’ and share the different tropes.

In her afterDr. Suglani, who has more than 130,000 followers, said the “Good Girl” syndrome can be applied to any gender.

The syndrome, which refers to the way women are often socialized to help or benefit others, regularly at their own expense, often stems from childhood experiences.

In a caption to her post, the psychologist wrote, “As children, we learned that in order to receive love and security, we had to constantly appease those around us.

“We shaped ourselves to meet the projections of our caregivers, putting their expectations above our own authentic selves.

‘This process effectively masked our true essence and led to a form of self-abandonment.’

According to Dr. Suglani, many people then carry this programming into adulthood and throughout their lives.

This, she says, often leaves them wondering “why they are not valued or cared for by others.”

In her Instagram post, the psychologist listed the eight archetypes and provided a description of each.

According to Dr. Suglani, The Pleaser is “hyper-focused on gaining approval and avoiding conflict.”

She says they “often go out of their way to keep others happy and can suppress their own desires and emotions.”

Meanwhile, the perfectionist type “strives for flawlessness,” with the fear of making mistakes or disappointing others possibly driving them.

Dr. Suglani added that “their pursuit of perfection can lead to high levels of stress and anxiety.”

She says The Over-Achiever is “driven by a strong desire to excel academically, professionally or in other areas of life.”

According to Dr. Suglani, “They may constantly seek validation through their achievements and may struggle with their self-esteem if they do not meet their own high standards.”

The next archetype she mentioned is the Enabler, who she says “tends to support and accommodate the needs or behavior of others, even when that behavior is destructive or harmful.” In an effort to keep the peace, this type can enable unhealthy habits or relationships.

The Self-Doubter archetype is described as being “plagued by self-doubt,” meaning they may “question their decisions and abilities.” In an attempt to allay their doubts, they may continually seek reassurance from others.

Meanwhile, The Caretaker is “often defined by their nurturing and caring nature,” the psychologist writes.

She adds, “They prioritize taking care of the needs and well-being of others, sometimes at the expense of their own needs.”

The Conformist then attempts to conform to established norms and rules, possibly even suppressing their individuality to ensure they do not stand out or face criticism.

Finally, she mentioned The Obedient Daughter and wrote, “This character archetype is obedient and compliant, unquestioningly following the expectations of society or family. She may have difficulty standing up for herself or making independent choices.”

According to Dr. Suglani, it is possible to move away from the limitations of these archetypes.

She writes, “Recognizing and understanding these patterns is a crucial step toward healing and freeing ourselves from societal expectations.

“By nurturing self-awareness and self-compassion and setting healthy boundaries, we can embark on a profound journey of self-discovery.

“This journey allows us to reclaim our autonomy and prioritize our own well-being.”

The post struck a chord with many Instagram users, who took to the comments section to discuss which of the archetypes they felt they embodied – and to reveal how these roles made them feel oppressed.

One wrote: ‘So true! I’ve seen this ‘Good Girl’ Syndrome affect people of all genders, and it’s heartbreaking how we often sacrifice our true selves for the sake of others’ approval.”

Another added: ‘Only good behavior and excellent grades, otherwise punishment…that’s how it always was. And well, it wasn’t for my own good, because it got me nowhere. I’m just starting to wake up to my childhood trauma. Thanks for sharing!’

And a third wrote: ‘But as soon as you stop acting like the good girl you are, you are abandoned and have absolutely no family or friends left. Like me.’

Concluding her post on Good Girl Syndrome, Dr. Suglani left a positive message.

She noted, “It is essential to remember that our worth is not determined by the degree to which we please others, but by our ability to authentically express our true selves.”