NEGATIVE TRAIT THESAURUS

JEALOUS



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HELPFUL TIP:

Characters with this flaw will be extra sensitive to certain emotions, so think about how events in your story might specifically trigger these feelings to generate compelling tension and conflict. Another idea is to give a supporting character a positive attribute that is an opposite of this flaw, which will get under the skin of both characters and cause friction in their relationship.
DEFINITION:
Characterized by suspicion and envy

SIMILAR FLAWS:
Begrudging, covetous, envious

POSSIBLE CAUSES:
Experiencing painful betrayals in one's past
Insecurity
A fear of losing what one has (a material item, person, job, position, prestige, etc.)
Codependence
Dominance or competitiveness (needing to be or have the best)

ASSOCIATED BEHAVIORS AND ATTITUDES:
Comparing oneself to others
Sabotaging a rival
Negativity
Following, stalking, or gathering information about a rival
Being obsessed to the point of it interfering with one's other relationships or job
Striving harder to maintain one's advantage
Dissatisfaction with what one has
Good moods that wane quickly
Difficulty resting, relaxing, or turning one's thoughts to other things
Planning a rival's defeat
Discrediting one's rivals
Believing that one's rival enjoys unfair luck or advantages
Trying to persuade others of the suspected rival's lack of competency
Garnering favor with others
Being mean and petty
Putting others down to build oneself up
Refusing to acknowledge a rival's positive qualities or skills
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ASSOCIATED THOUGHTS:
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ASSOCIATED EMOTIONS:
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POSITIVE ASPECTS:
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NEGATIVE ASPECTS:
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EXAMPLE FROM FILM:
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OVERCOMING THIS TRAIT AS A MAJOR FLAW:
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TRAITS IN SUPPORTING CHARACTERS THAT MAY CAUSE CONFLICT:
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