NEGATIVE TRAIT THESAURUS

UNINTELLIGENT



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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:
Showing poor judgment and flawed thinking; lacking reasoning or wit

SIMILAR FLAWS:
Dense, dumb, half-witted, idiotic, simple, slow, thickheaded, witless

POSSIBLE CAUSES:
Poor education
Growing up in seclusion
Mental handicaps
Genetics
Refusing to learn because it conflicts with ingrained beliefs
Growing up in a society that devalues education and independent thinking
Poor prenatal care
Poor health and nutrition

ASSOCIATED BEHAVIORS AND ATTITUDES:
Giving incorrect answers
Making excuses that others can easily see through
Lying
Embarrassment
Floundering verbally
Giving blank looks
Frequently using ums, ahs, and other hesitations
Having difficulty finishing tasks
Showing up to work or school unprepared
Smiling to cover one's confusion
Avoiding unfamiliar situations
Missing obvious clues that someone is untrustworthy
Blaming others for one's uncompleted tasks (not being given enough information, etc.)
Not learning lessons despite repeated attempts
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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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