NEGATIVE TRAIT THESAURUS

HOSTILE



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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:
Marked by open resistance or opposition

SIMILAR FLAWS:
Antagonistic, bellicose, militant, threatening

POSSIBLE CAUSES:
Imbalances in the brain
Being caught in an undesirable situation with no foreseeable way out
A history of violence or abuse
Chronic pain or insomnia
A history of being treated unfairly through no fault of one's own
Extended periods of stress, anxiety, or frustration
Trust issues

ASSOCIATED BEHAVIORS AND ATTITUDES:
Snapping at people
Verbally abusing others
Becoming enraged with little or no provocation
Looking for a fight; being confrontational
Resorting to physical violence
Issuing challenges
Using foul language
Committing acts of vengeance
Criminal activity (assault, vandalism, theft, etc.)
Having a dark, foreboding demeanor
Abrupt mood shifts
Violence against objects (pillows, doors, walls, etc.) in an effort to keep from hurting others
Prejudice
Having a closed-off stance
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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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