NEGATIVE TRAIT THESAURUS

CONTROLLING



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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:
Inclined to exercise a restraining or directing influence over others

SIMILAR FLAWS:
Despotic, dictatorial, domineering, tyrannical

POSSIBLE CAUSES:
Growing up in an environment where one had no control
Being raised by a caregiver whose expectations were unrealistic
A thirst for power or the respect of others
Deriving pleasure from the domination of others
Having an intense need to be right
A fear of failure
A need for structure and predictability
Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder

ASSOCIATED BEHAVIORS AND ATTITUDES:
Perfectionism and pickiness
A drive to succeed
Difficulty delegating tasks to others
Requiring others to follow one's rules
Hypercriticism; a tendency to micromanage
Involving oneself in every possible decision
Keeping strict control of one's finances
Overriding the suggestions or opinions of others in favor of one's own agenda
Avoiding activities where one must be subservient to another
Intimidation and manipulation
Territoriality and defensiveness
Highly responsible
Feeling anger, frustration, and jealousy when others succeed
Possessiveness (in personal relationships)
Becoming aggressive when one's dominance is questioned
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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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