NEGATIVE TRAIT THESAURUS

MATERIALISTIC



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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 concerned with acquiring material things; tying one's value to what one has or can display to others

POSSIBLE CAUSES:
A desire to maintain a certain image
A shopping addiction
Wanting to have what others have
A sense of entitlement
A low sense of self-worth
Growing up in a materialistic family or society
Growing up in poverty
Peer pressure
Being spoiled as a child; always being given what one wants

ASSOCIATED BEHAVIORS AND ATTITUDES:
Insisting on buying brand-name products
Thinking in superficial terms: "I wouldn't be caught dead in those jeans."
Buying what one's peers have purchased
Dissatisfaction with one's own possessions
Being trendy (in regard to fashion, pop culture, etc.)
Making judgments about others based on their possessions: "What is she, destitute?"
Buying the latest technological gadgets
Using manipulation to get what one wants
Going on shopping sprees when feeling down or discouraged
Running up credit card debt
Living beyond one's means
Throwing extravagant parties
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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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