NEGATIVE TRAIT THESAURUS

PESSIMISTIC



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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:
Inclined to focus on the negative and expect the worst possible outcome

SIMILAR FLAWS:
Negative

POSSIBLE CAUSES:
Cynicism from having experienced much negativity
Fear of disappointment
Living with a chronic disability, ailment, or difficult situation
Repeated failures over the course of one's life
Having been victimized or otherwise traumatized through no fault of one's own
Depression

ASSOCIATED BEHAVIORS AND ATTITUDES:
Passivity
Giving up control
Having and using negative thoughts and words
Believing the worst of people
Expecting the worst possible outcome to occur
Being argumentative or sarcastic
Anticipating failure
Chronic worrying
Believing that a situation will never change
Apathy and resignation
Focusing on the negatives in one's life and in the lives of others
Frequent gloomy, grumpy moods
Self-criticism
Resentment
Decreased productivity at work or school
Being unmotivated
Losing interest in hobbies or favorite pastimes
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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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EXAMPLES FROM LITERATURE:
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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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