NEGATIVE TRAIT THESAURUS

FRIVOLOUS



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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:
Lacking seriousness

SIMILAR FLAWS:
Flippant, shallow, silly, superficial

POSSIBLE CAUSES:
Immaturity
A desire to have fun
Insecurity; the fear that one is incapable of undertaking anything serious or important
Desiring the attention one gains from being silly or superficial
A fear of responsibility

ASSOCIATED BEHAVIORS AND ATTITUDES:
Avoiding heavy topics of conversation
Frequent laughter
Shirking work, chores, and responsibilities
Being undisciplined
Being content to live in the present and not plan for the future
Adopting an easygoing, carefree attitude
Avoiding confrontation
Not being interested in important issues (politics, religion, world issues, etc.)
Declaring oneself inept in an effort to avoid work: "You know I can't cook. Let's go out."
A lack of ambition or drive
Wasting time, money, and resources
Making decisions based on what one wants right now
Living for the moment
Selfish decision-making that negatively impacts others
Partying
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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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