NEGATIVE TRAIT THESAURUS

GULLIBLE



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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:
Easily misled or duped

SIMILAR FLAWS:
Naïve

POSSIBLE CAUSES:
Believing that people are basically good and trustworthy
A lack of worldly experience
Living in denial; an unwillingness to see corruption and falsehood
Low intelligence
Immaturity

ASSOCIATED BEHAVIORS AND ATTITUDES:
Believing whatever anyone says
Not checking people's facts
Unwittingly passing on erroneous information out of a desire to help others
Giving money to strangers who claim to be in need
Being taken in by swindlers and cheats
Showing a lack of discernment; not being able to read people
Honesty
Empathy
Being generous with one's time and resources
Trusting others to do what they say they'll do
Believing a liar even when he has proven himself untrustworthy
Being easily swayed
Wanting to see the best in people
Believing in second (and third, fourth, etc.) chances
Having a strong faith; easily trusting in something without proof
Hearing what one wants to hear
Insecurity over what one knows or what one can accomplish independently
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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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