NEGATIVE TRAIT THESAURUS

VINDICTIVE



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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:
Disposed toward seeking revenge

SIMILAR FLAWS:
Hateful, malicious, retaliatory, ruthless, vengeful

POSSIBLE CAUSES:
Excessive ego 
Desiring to be perceived as strong 
Having a position or reputation that must be protected (a mafia don, a gang member, etc.) 
Having been victimized in the past 
Needing to be in control 
Anger issues 
Narcissism or antisocial personality disorder 
Mental disorders (oppositional defiant disorder, intermittent explosive disorder, etc.) 
Participating in deviant activities that encourage one's dark urges (watching violent pornography)

ASSOCIATED BEHAVIORS AND ATTITUDES:
An inability to forgive 
Obsessing over a slight or insult 
Daydreaming about ways to make the other party pay 
Damaging an offending person's property 
Looking for ways to discredit an enemy 
Laying elaborate plans in order to exact revenge 
Experiencing a sense of relief upon retaliation 
Bragging about having avenged oneself 
Making threats 
Sending hateful letters and emails 
Spreading rumors 
Trying to get a person fired or ruin his relationships 
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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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