NEGATIVE TRAIT THESAURUS

CATTY



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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:
Spiteful, in a sneaky and underhanded way

SIMILAR FLAWS:
Mean, petty, spiteful

POSSIBLE CAUSES:
A need to control
The desire to exert power while avoiding negative consequences
Low self-esteem
Peer pressure
A desire for social power
Dissatisfaction and envy
Being bullied at home

ASSOCIATED BEHAVIORS AND ATTITUDES:
Manipulation, playing favorites
Passive-aggressiveness
Giving backhanded compliments
Gossiping, exaggerating, and twisting the truth
Talking about people behind their backs
Hypocrisy
Playing mind games
Extreme competitiveness
Creating melodrama at another's expense
Cyber-bullying
Being hypercritical
Trivializing the plights or circumstances of others
Avenging oneself for past slights
Comparing oneself to others
Identifying those who may be a threat in some way
Establishing a pecking order
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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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