Are you a mid-lifer obsessed with TV teen romances? Or a Strictly Come Dancing devotee? Psychologist reveals what your favourite show says about YOU - and the series narcissists love

As the colder months and darker nights begin to draw in, many Britons will be eagerly anticipating cosy evenings spent on the sofa with their favourite comfort program.Yet while we may be a nation of TV lovers, not all of us share the same taste - with some showing a likening for soap operas and reality shows, while others are keen to dive into the terrifying world of true crime.But can our go-to television shows actually reveal far more about our personalities than perhaps we initially realised?According to intuitive psychologist and best-selling author of You Are What You Feel, Dr. Carmen Harra, television preferences can actually showcase 'not only what entertains us, but what kind of intimacy, uncertainty, control, transformation, competition or emotional catharsis resonate with us'.She told The Daily Mail: 'Sometimes we don't choose shows because they reflect who we are. We choose them because they give us something we need to feel. 'When we examine our viewing desires, the distinction between "this is who I am" and "this is how I want to feel" becomes particularly revealing.'From young adult romance to quiz shows and even wildlife documentaries narrated by national treasure David Attenborough, Dr Carmen believes the television shows that leave you hooked are far from coincidental. Ranging from narcissists to empaths, extroverts and those with vivid imaginations, read on to discover what your favourite show really says about you... Young Adult Romantic TV Shows: The Hopeless Romantic A young adult romantic television show is often a suitably easy choice for a casual evening's watch due to the easy-to-follow storylines and heartwarming plot. Pictured: Lola Tung, Gavin Casalengo and Christopher Briney star in The Summer I Turned PrettyArchetype: The Hopeless Romantic Hidden trait: A strong capacity for idealism, emotional projection, and romantic imagination. Deeper emotion: A longing to feel chosen, understood, and completely seen.You might be watching: Heartstopper, Sex Education, Normal People, The Summer I Turned Pretty.A young adult romantic television show is often a suitably easy choice for a casual evening's watch due to the easy-to-follow storylines and heartwarming plot.Those drawn to this genre are typically 'deeply romantic and emotionally imaginative, even if they appear pragmatic in everyday life', according to Dr Carmen. She explained: 'They may enjoy experiencing the intensity of first love vicariously: anticipation, uncertainty, longing, jealousy, and exhilaration.'This is the Hopeless Romantic archetype, who remains captivated by the possibility of profound emotional connection.'However, the psychologist explained that these traits are not to be confused with 'naive romantics', with some of these viewers merely 'nostalgic for emotional intensity'. 'Even people who are perfectly content in their relationships may turn to these shows to reconnect with the excitement of possibility and the fantasy of being completely chosen,' she added. Reality TV Dating Shows: The Observer If watching two strangers fall in love on the screen is your ideal evening of television viewing, Dr Carmen believes it could suggest you are 'fascinated by human psychology and interpersonal dynamics'. Pictured: Matt Willis and Emma Willis for Love Is Blind Archetype: The Observer Hidden trait: A keen instinct for reading people and detecting subtle interpersonal signals. Deeper emotion: Curiosity about whether genuine connection is possible and fear of choosing the wrong person.You might be watching: Love Island, Love Is Blind UK, Married at First Sight UK.From Love is Blind to Love Island, it seems there is no shortage of reality television dating shows on offer.If watching two strangers fall in love on the screen is your ideal evening of television viewing, Dr Carmen believes it could suggest you are 'fascinated by human psychology and interpersonal dynamics'.'The romance is only part of the attraction, however. Viewers may be watching for rejection, jealousy, alliances, power shifts, and subtle social cues,' she noted. 'These viewers may secretly enjoy analysing people and predicting outcomes. They might be highly observant in their own relationships, noticing changes in tone, body language, and behaviour that others easily miss.'The expert further explains that those who fall into the 'Observer archetype' are keen to 'watch, interpret and understand before becoming fully involved'.She explained: 'They may instinctively study the room, noticing who is attracted to whom, who is withholding something, and which relationships are more likely to survive.'Home Renovation Programs: The ControllerArchetype: The Controller Hidden trait: A preference for tangible solutions, structure, and visible progress. Deeper emotion: A need for security, renewal, or control when life feels unpredictable.You might be watching: Grand Designs, Changing Rooms, Location, Location, Location.The satisfaction of watching a home renovation come into fruition is a joy many are eager to experience, and it seems unsurprising that these programs often reign supreme. For Dr Carmen, go-to viewers of these shows 'may enjoy transformation because it provides the psychological reassurance that problems can be identified, dismantled, and rebuilt into something beautiful'.She added: 'There is something profoundly soothing about watching a blank wall become a finished room: the problem has a solution, the process is visible, and the result can be seen.'This often resonates with the Controller archetype: Not necessarily someone who is controlling of other people, but who feels most secure when they can influence their surroundings and create tangible order from uncertainty.'True Crime Documentaries: The InvestigatorArchetype: The Investigator Hidden trait: An unusually strong drive to detect patterns, uncover information, and understand motives. Deeper emotion: A desire to make sense of frightening or unpredictable aspects of human behavior.You might be watching: Fred and Rose West: A British Horror Story, The Ripper, Who Killed Jill Dando?In recent years, true crime documentaries have grown in immense popularity and evolved from a niche curiosity to a mainstream obsession.Dr Carmen explains that if true crime is your go-to series to enjoy, it may be as you have an acute 'fascination' with 'human psychology, unanswered questions, and the search for meaning behind disturbing events'.She added: 'True-crime enthusiasts may possess a highly analytical mind and a strong desire to understand why people behave as they do. 'Some also experience a form of psychological preparation because understanding danger can create the feeling of being better equipped to recognise it.'Those who fall under the 'investigator archetype' are typically individuals who are keen to 'look beneath the surface, reconstruct events, and understand what others might overlook'.'Closure can be particularly satisfying to this type of viewer because uncertainty itself can feel mentally and emotionally uncomfortable,' explained the expert. Hospital Dramas: The Empath According to Dr Carmen, viewers who enjoy watching a drama set in a hospital are often 'comfortable with emotional intensity'. Pictured: the cast of Call the Midwife Archetype: The Empath Hidden trait: Emotional depth and a tendency to care deeply about other people's struggles. Deeper emotion: A longing for connection, purpose, and reassurance that people will be present when it matters most.You might be watching: Casualty, Call the Midwife, Grey's Anatomy.According to Dr Carmen, viewers who enjoy watching a drama set in a hospital are often 'comfortable with emotional intensity'.'They allow viewers to experience life-and-death situations, profound vulnerability, sacrifice, and compassion from the relative safety of the sofa,' she added. 'These viewers may have particularly strong empathy, or may simply crave an emotional release that everyday life doesn't provide.'Individuals who fall under the 'Empath archetype' are often 'draw to stories in which people's pain matters and compassion has positive consequences'Dr Carmen also noted that several viewers can 'become deeply invested in characters' suffering, sometimes feeling emotionally affected long after an episode ends'.'For them, the hospital setting is not merely dramatic. It becomes a stage on which courage, vulnerability, love, and human connection are tested.'Celebrity Competitions: The Free Spirit Offering an exciting and unique way to watch your favourite A-listers engage in unique challenges, celebrity competition shows are undoubtedly popular. Pictured: Craig Revel Horwood, Moti Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke for Strictly Come DancingArchetype: The Free Spirit Hidden trait: An appreciation for resilience, experimentation, and hidden potential. Deeper emotion: A desire to believe that people (including themselves) are capable of becoming more than they currently are.You might be watching: Strictly Come Dancing, I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!, Celebrity MasterChef.Offering an exciting and unique way to watch your favourite A-listers engage in unique challenges and scenarios, celebrity competition shows are undoubtedly popular.And, according to Dr Carmen, those fascinated by watching their favourite stars put themselves to the test are often attracted to 'reinvention'.She explained: 'Watching familiar celebrities placed outside of their comfort zones allows viewers to see a different side of people they thought they knew. 'These viewers may particularly enjoy watching someone struggle, improve, and ultimately surpass their own expectations.'The 'Free Spirit' archetype is said to be an individual who is 'energised by experimentation, unpredictability, and the possibility of discovering an entirely different version of oneself'.She added: 'They may appreciate people who are willing to take risks and step outside the identities that others have assigned to them.'Spy Dramas: The SuppressorArchetype: The Suppressor Hidden trait: Emotional restraint, self-control, and an ability to maintain composure under pressure. Deeper emotion: A desire for control in situations in which trust is uncertain and a need to feel protected from emotional vulnerability.You might be watching: Slow Horses, Spooks, The Night Manager.Viewers captivated by a spy drama are typically fond of 'secrecy,ambiguity, and intellectual puzzles,' according to Dr Carmen. 'They may be fascinated by characters who have multiple identities and never reveal everything they know. There can also be something psychologically appealing about inhabiting a world where being observant, strategic, and emotionally composed is an advantage.'Spy drama fanatics are said to fall under the 'Suppressor archetype' and are typically individuals who 'instinctively contains their emotions rather than displaying them openly'.'Spy protagonists rarely wear their feelings on the surface,' she added. 'They survive by maintaining composure, withholding information. and revealing vulnerability only when absolutely necessary.For viewers who spend much of their own lives carefully managing what they show others, that emotional restraint can feel strangely familiar, even empowering.'Quiz Shows: The EntrepreneurArchetype: The Entrepreneur Hidden trait: Intellectual competitiveness, strategic thinking, and confidence in one's ability to seize an opportunity. Deeper emotion: A desire for mastery, validation, and the reassurance of being capable.You might be watching: The 1% Club, The Chase, Pointless.While they may initially attract knowledge enthusiasts, Dr Carmen believes that quiz show fans are often motivated by far more. 'They can enjoy the feeling of knowing something other people don't know, a small but satisfying confirmation of competence,' she explained.'These viewers may have competitive streaks that aren't necessarily obvious in everyday life. Even when they're sitting on the sofa, they're mentally playing along.'Quiz show viewers are said to fall under the 'Entrepreneur archetype' which typically 'thrives on challenge, opportunity and the feeling of being able to turn knowledge or skill into an advantage'. Dr Carmen added: 'They may instinctively look for patterns, calculate risks, and ask themselves what they would do in such a situation. 'For this viewer, a quiz show is like a marketplace of intelligence where information becomes currency and speed becomes an advantage.'Talent Shows: The Idealist Watching someone achieve their dreams by showcasing their weird and wonderful talents is a television genre with immense popularity - with shows often spanning numerous decades and achieving multiple series. Pictured: the cast of Britain's got Talent Archetype: The Idealist Hidden trait: Sensitivity to potential in others and a tendency to believe in possibilities before they become realities. Deeper emotion: The universal desire to be seen and appreciated for something meaningful.You might be watching: Britain's Got Talent, The Voice UK, The X Factor.Watching someone achieve their dreams by showcasing their weird and wonderful talents is a television genre with immense popularity - with shows often spanning numerous decades and achieving multiple series. Those 'devoted' to talent shows are, according to Dr Carmen, typically individuals with a 'strong appreciation for possibility and recognition'.She explained: 'They may be particularly moved by the moment when an overlooked person suddenly receives validation. 'That can reveal something surprisingly personal. Perhaps the viewer understands what it feels like to have an ability, dream, or quality that hasn't always been recognized.'Viewers of talent shows may 'instinctively root for the underdog because they want to believe talent, perseverance, and authenticity will be rewarded,' according to Dr Carmen.Sitcoms: The ExpressorArchetype: The Expressor Hidden trait: Emotional resilience and an instinct to process feelings through humor, conversation, and connection. Deeper emotion: A need for belonging, comfort, and the reassurance that problems can be survived (and perhaps even laughed about).You might be watching: Gavin & Stacey, Ghosts, The Inbetweeners.Sitcom fanatics are not just a fan of lighthearted comedy, but may also hold a 'particularly strong appreciation for relief, familiarity, and emotional safety,' according to the expert. 'The predictable structure is part of the pleasure: Conflict arises, chaos ensues, and usually everything returns to normal within half an hour. For someone whose real life feels complicated, that predictability can be profoundly comforting,' she added. Dr Carmen also noted that sitcom viewers may also be 'especially skilled at finding something funny even when circumstances are difficult'.'This is where the Expressor archetype emerges. Expressors often process life by putting feelings into words, stories, jokes, and shared experiences. 'They may use humor not to avoid emotion, but to make emotion more manageable and to invite other people into it.'Wildlife Shows: The Introvert If an evening spent on the sofa listening to the peaceful backdrop of commentary by David Attenborough sounds appealing, then Dr Carmen suspects you may be 'fascinated by life beyond the human social world'Archetype: The Introvert Hidden trait: Patience, contemplation, and an appreciation for experiences that don't require social performance. Deeper emotion: A longing for peace, perspective, and freedom from human complications.You might be watching: Planet Earth, The Blue Planet, Springwatch.If an evening spent on the sofa listening to the peaceful backdrop of commentary by David Attenborough sounds appealing, then Dr Carmen suspects you may be 'fascinated by life beyond the human social world'.She noted that these sorts of programs 'provide a temporary escape from relationships, social expectations, and constant stimulation'.'These viewers may have a contemplative side that isn't immediately apparent. They may value observation over participation and find profound beauty in simply watching the natural world unfold,' added Dr Carmen. 'The Introvert archetype isn't necessarily shy or antisocial. Rather, this person tends to recharge through solitude, reflection, and experiences that don't demand constant social performance. 'A wildlife documentary offers an immersive world in which nothing is asking them to participate.'Soaps: The ExtrovertArchetype: The Extrovert Hidden trait: Strong social intelligence and sensitivity to interpersonal dynamics. Deeper emotion: A need for belonging and continuity, and the comfort of returning to a world that feels familiar.You might be watching: EastEnders, Coronation Street, Emmerdale.Soap fanatics are said to be acutely curious about 'relationships, family dynamics and emotional consequences,' according to Dr Carmen. 'Unlike many genres, soaps provide an emotional universe that viewers can unravel repeatedly,' she noted. 'That creates something a psychologically powerful element of familiarity. Characters can almost feel like extended acquaintances, their lives becoming a continuing emotional conversation.'For these reasons, Dr Carmen suspects that soap viewers can often fall under the 'Extrovert archetype' and get their energy from 'people, interaction, drama and the constant exchange of emotions'. She added: 'These viewers may enjoy discussing characters' decisions, predicting what will happen next, and sharing their opinions with friends. 'For them, watching a soap is rarely a solitary experience. Even from the sofa, they are participating in an exclusive social circle.'Historical Dramas: The Realist Rather than merely showcasing an interest in historical events, those fascinated by dramas of the past may 'possess a strong sense of curiosity about how people become who they are,' Dr Carmen notes. Pictured: the cast of The Crown Archetype: The Realist Hidden trait: Perspective, pragmatism, and an appreciation for complexity rather than simple answers. Deeper emotion: A desire to understand where we came from and how the past continues to shape the present and future.You might be watching: Wolf Hall, Poldark, The Crown.Rather than merely showcasing an interest in historical events, those fascinated by dramas of the past may 'possess a strong sense of curiosity about how people become who they are,' Dr Carmen notes. 'They aren't simply watching costumes and period settings; They are watching human beings navigate completely different social rules,' she added. 'These viewers may also be naturally reflective, wondering how much of human behaviour changes with time, or whether it ever changes at all.'According to Dr Carmen, historical drama seeks to 'provide an opportunity to see people operating within circumstances they didn't choose, reminding us that individual decisions are often shaped by culture, power, economics, and circumstances'. 'Rather than asking "Who is the hero?" the Realist may be more interested in "What would I have done in that situation?"'Fantasy Shows: The IndependentArchetype: The Independent Hidden trait: Self-reliance, imagination, and a resistance to being defined by conventional expectations. Deeper emotion: A desire for autonomy, transformation, and the freedom to discover who you really are.You might be watching: Doctor Who, His Dark Materials, Good Omens.Fantasy viewers are said to hold an 'exceptionally vivid imagination and rich internal world', according to Dr Carmen. 'They may be comfortable entertaining possibilities that don't exist in ordinary reality. But fantasy isn't necessarily escapism in the shallow sense. 'Sometimes it provides a language for emotions that are difficult to express realistically, such as good versus evil, transformation, exile, destiny, and discovering one's true power,' she explained.Those who fall under the Independent archetype are said to be 'particularly drawn to fantasy because these stories frequently center on characters who must discover their own identity rather than simply accept the roles society has picked for them'.The expert explained: 'Fantasy allows the viewer to imagine a world in which the outsider can become the hero, the misfit can discover their power, and the individual can forge a destiny unique to them.'Animated Series: The NarcissistArchetype: The Narcissist Hidden trait: A strong sense of individuality, self-expression, and enjoyment of larger-than-life personalities. Deeper emotion: A longing to feel distinctive, unrestricted, and free to embrace the parts of oneself that conventional adult life can sometimes suppress.You might be watching: The Simpsons, Rick and Morty, Bluey.An animated series not only makes for lighthearted viewing, but can also appeal to a viewers' 'playfulness, imagination and emotional simplicity,' according to Dr Carmen. 'Animation can also make complex themes feel more accessible because they are presented through heightened worlds and exaggerated characters,' she explained. 'More importantly, enjoying animation doesn't necessarily mean someone is immature. It can indicate someone who refuses to abandon curiosity and wonder simply because they've grown older.'However, Dr Carmen also warned that those fascinated by animations can also risk falling under the 'Narcissist archetype' as they could be prone to 'enjoying heightened worlds in which personalities are larger than life, characters are instantly recognizable, and individual identity takes center stage'. She added: 'The appeal can lie in seeing exaggerated versions of themselves, like the rebel, the genius, the misfit, the outrageous one, or the character who refuses to conform. 'Animation gives viewers permission to indulge the more dramatic, self-focused, or mischievous sides of their personality without taking them too seriously.'