POSITIVE TRAIT THESAURUS

PROTECTIVE



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HELPFUL TIP:

Characters with this positive attribute will be extra sensitive to certain emotions, so think about how events might specifically trigger feelings in a way that elevates or lowers their moods or causes moral dilemmas to form—whichever best fits your story goals. Try giving a supporting character a negative trait that acts as an opposite of this attribute, causing frustration, disillusionment, or even emotional volatility that leads to poor decisions and mistakes.
DEFINITION:
Inclined to safeguard, shield, or carefully supervise the persons or items in one's charge

POSSIBLE CAUSES:
Serving in a caregiver role
Love and respect
Being responsible for others (one's younger siblings, etc.) at an early age
Exposure to “lean” times (where water, food, or shelter is scarce)
Having struggled in the past to provide for one's family
Proximity to danger or corruption where one must defend one's resources
Abuse
The belief that one cannot be too careful
Being the caregiver of a family member with a mental or physical handicap
A past failure (real or imagined) to protect a person, one's assets, or one's resources

ASSOCIATED BEHAVIORS AND ATTITUDES:
Being aware of danger and risk, and avoiding them as much as possible
Carefully watching situations that could grow volatile
Asking questions; needing to know details
Researching and fact gathering
Being in close proximity to the one needing protection
Being an active listener; offering support and counsel
Wanting someone to succeed and working to help them achieve their goals
Balancing concern for safety with respecting another's independence and freedom
Lightly touching others to let them know one is there
Being proactive; thinking ahead to what might be needed
Distrust of strangers
Encouraging sound choices and decision-making
Offering strength when it is needed
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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 TV:
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CHALLENGING SCENARIOS FOR CHARACTERS WITH THIS TRAIT:
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TRAITS IN SUPPORTING CHARACTERS THAT MAY CAUSE CONFLICT:
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