NEGATIVE TRAIT THESAURUS

SUSPICIOUS



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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:
Suspecting others without proof or evidence

SIMILAR FLAWS:
Disbelieving, doubtful, leery, mistrustful, wary

POSSIBLE CAUSES:
Suffering a past betrayal or painful trauma
Living in a corrupt society or environment
Growing up with abusive parents or other adults
Feeling unsafe
A mental disorder rooted in anxiety, depression, or paranoia
Witnessing unethical activity by those in positions of power
Paranoia as a result of long-term drug use
Consistently catching others in lies, especially people who should have been trustworthy
Witnessing two-faced behavior in others
Being scammed or taken advantage of
Being raised in a home that was riddled with paranoia

ASSOCIATED BEHAVIORS AND ATTITUDES:
Asking pointed questions that suggest suspicion
Obsessing over man-made tragedies and world events in the news
Being on the lookout for inconsistencies in people's stories
Not taking anything at face value
Demanding evidence; needing proof before believing
Keeping one's distance from others
Needing time to investigate before committing to an action
Assuming that the past will repeat itself
Singling anything out that doesn't fit a pattern
Strong gut instinct that is often correct, reinforcing that one should pay attention to it
Difficulty relaxing and being open unless the people present have earned one's trust
Suspecting another of a transgression that one has committed in the past: "I bet he stole that watch.
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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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