NEGATIVE TRAIT THESAURUS

SELFISH



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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:
Overly or solely concerned with one's own needs

SIMILAR FLAWS:
Self-absorbed, self-centered, egocentric

POSSIBLE CAUSES:
Insecurity
Greed
Having a weak emotional connection to society
Personality disorders
Fear of sacrifice
A desire for personal comfort
Unmet goals or needs
Control issues

ASSOCIATED BEHAVIORS AND ATTITUDES:
Rarely (if ever) thinking of others' needs
Placing one's welfare above that of others
Aligning oneself with people who make one look good or increase one's influence
Having high standards and expectations
Being preoccupied with one's needs, priorities, and goals
Viewing others as a means to an end
Manipulation
Difficulty trusting others
Acting altruistic only when there's a benefit from doing so
Only sharing information that will benefit oneself in some way
Plotting, planning, or scheming a way to get what one wants
Lying or only telling part of the story
Difficulty compromising or finding middle ground with others
Becoming highly protective of one's property and possessions
Hoarding one's resources
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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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