History SoYouWantTo / DevelopCharacterPersonality

None of this is meant to imply that you need three, four, five, nine or (in the case of the MBTI) sixteen characters before you can have complete characterization. TVTropes makes no comment whatsoever on the number of characters you should or must have in your work. The point is to give you ideas of ''how characters can contrast with each other''.

While this doesn't mean that you can't create characters that are exactly the same if your plot needs it [[CloningBlues (for example clones)]], it does mean however that you can't make characters that are (in theory) different people but always or nearly always behave perfectly alike (unless it is justified by the plot), nor characters that always have exactly the same opinion or think exactly the same way. Even people that share the same goals tend to think differently on the means.

Using a popular example from media, Franchise/SpiderMan [[TheTrickster is a superhero that is famous for making fun of his enemies while fighting]]. What some people don't know is that he does this because he tries to hide his fear. The mechanism of defense used here is humor. As you may have already noted, this is a good way to give depth to personality without emotions.

The '''term "puppet" is a metaphor''' for a character that is only an extension of the will of a writer and not a fully developed person. This means of course that [[Literature/TheAdventuresOfPinocchio literal puppet characters]] may be great characters too.

* The '''Main/WesternZodiac''' is used in astrology. It posits that personalities are assigned depending on when during the calendar year you are born. It features twelve personalities divided amongst [[FourElementEnsemble the four classical elements]] and three alignments (Cardinal, Fixed, Mutable), each named after a constellation and having an affinity for a planet, a Greek deity from Myth/ClassicalMythology, and more.

* The FourTemperamentEnsemble, FourGirlEnsemble, TheThreeFacesOfAdam and TheThreeFacesOfEve, TheHecateSisters, the FreudianTrio and the FiveManBand are all

* The '''Main/WesternZodiac''' is used in astrology. It posits that personalities are assigned depending on when during the calendar year you are born. It features twelve personalities divided amongst [[FourElementEnsemble the four classical elements]] and three alignments (Cardinal, Fixed, Mutable), each named after a constellation and having an affinity for a planet, a Greek deity from Main/ClassicalMythology, and more.

One of the most common divisions of personality is between {{extraversion|Tropes}} and {{introversion|Tropes}}. By reading this you may be wondering, "what's 'better', introversion or extraversion?" Neither, of course. It is often wrongfully assumed that extraversion is "good" while introversion is "bad." They are simply different and neither of them is superior. Both are able to develop very interesting, complex characters.

It's important to note that '''it is about impossible to be 100% introverted nor extraverted'''. Introverts still benefit from some form of even less direct interaction, and extraverts may need alone time every now and then - it's easy for either side to have the other type's moments. What needs to be defined is how much.

If a character is most of the time "extroverted", that character will be considered as "extraverted." The same will happen with introversion. Now we are going to see the most common traits of each one:

* Extraversion. [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extroversion_and_introversion#Ambiversion These kind of characters are mostly identified by their happy and positive dispositions]]; they enjoy being around people. On the contrary, being alone is very unpleasant for them. This kind of character can be best described as "enthusiastic," "talkative," "assertive," and "sociable." [[WhenSheSmiles They are hardly ever seen alone or without a smile]], unless they're the type that likes to go be miserable with other people or just complain to a crowd.
** Common character types that are extraverted: GenkiGirl, ThePollyanna, {{Tsundere}}, TheDitz, etc.

* Introversion. They are mostly identified in a story by being very "reserved", "serious", "mysterious", "not very social", and "solitary." Introverts spend most of their time through reflection and solitary activities (in fact they feel more comfortable when alone). They prefer to concentrate on a single activity at a time and like to observe situations before they participate. They are more reserved and less outspoken in large groups. Being able to trust their companions is very important to them. Because of that they tend to be more "selective" [[TheFourLoves when choosing their friends]].
** Examples of common character types that are introverted: ShrinkingViolet, TheStoic, EmotionlessGirl, UncannyValleyGirl, SugarAndIcePersonality, etc. Relationships involving introverts can frequently be SickeninglySweethearts even when completely platonic because they will very quickly go be alone together.

It's important to note that a shy or lonely character isn't necessarily introverted. An introvert is alone by choice (or by fatigue, as one common theory is the introverts have to use energy to deal with large groups), whereas shy and lonely people are alone because of fear. However, both introversion and shyness may overlap. It's also important to remember the fact that it's about impossible for a human being to stand completely on their own. [[TheFourLoves All humans are sure enough to need the love and even indirect support (which could include what at own provides) of others]].

Another thing to keep in mind is that extraversion does not necessarily refer to how positive a temperament a character has, only how much they enjoy other people's company. A positive temperament is covered under low neuroticism. See: [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Five_personality_traits The Big 5]] (another theory of personality).

# '''Genetics'''. These factors are in the DNA of the person. They can't be chosen or changed by the person. For example, age.

Autonomy is also the difference between a character that is just a puppet, an extension of your will, and a person. Characters that are true people will act as they want, not as you wish they acted. If you consciously try to avoid writing a puppet character or a MarySue, then you are inevitably going to disagree with your character's reasoning or actions sometimes. But that's how a realistic character would act. This doesn't mean that you won't be able to control your characters. You can make your character do whatever you want without losing characterization if you take care to not betray what makes your character autonomous.

[[HumansAreFlawed No human is perfect and no human is always right]]. Your character needs [[CharacterFlawIndex flaws]] in order to be a person.

Ignoring the fact that the word "flaw" sounds like something "bad," it is actually '''a very good thing''' for characterization. [[ThisLoserIsYou Characters that have the same flaws as the audience]] are considerably easier to identify with than their [[TheAce less]] flawed [[InvincibleHero counterparts]]. Some flaws can make your audience identify with the struggles of your character. Other flaws will make your character unique and interesting. Making your characters outgrow some of their flaws can make interesting {{plot point}}s.

However, it is important to avoid giving a character just [[FatalFlaw a single flaw]] or fake flaws. Characters will and should always have many flaws no matter what, even if those flaws are eventually overcome or controlled through CharacterDevelopment. Humans are imperfect by nature and removing this trait (with very few exceptions) will make your character feel [[UnintentionalUncannyValley inhuman/unreal]].

A perfect example of single-flaw characters is the concept of the "FatalFlaw." People in RealLife aren't single-flawed. Even though it's true that people may have a "FatalFlaw," people will make not just one -- but many mistakes throughout his/her life, and for different reasons.

[[CharacterFlawIndex Flaws]] are also what makes a character's virtues believable. It's very easy to give character good traits, making a perfect character even. But without flaws those virtues are not going to be believed by the audience. That's the reason flaws are fundamental for creating a well-developed character.

# Skill flaws. Your character can't be [[TheAce good at everything]]. Characters tend to have unique talents and interests. There are going to be things they aren't very good at, even on things that they are skilled with. They can't be perfect at them all the time. Characters need both strengths and weaknesses.
# Moral flaws. Your character can't be always "right" or always "wrong."

Your character can't always be "the moral standard of your work." A villain can't be completely devoid of redeeming qualities. All people have some good and some bad in them (with few counted exceptions). How much depends on each character.

Finally, it's important to note that both making characters defined only by his good traits or by their flaws are signs of bad characterization. For example, a villain could hate revenge, while a hero doesn't. [[CharacterDevelopment Part of being human is not being devoid of flaws but overcoming them]]. Consequentially, having moral flaws will not make a hero less admirable -- on the contrary, {{anti hero}}es, heroes with flaws uncharacteristic of the archetypical hero, are more fascinating in modern fiction than heroes who have very few/no noticeable moral flaws at all. Imagine a hero not killing a villain but he's a PuritySue. Now imagine a hero who struggled with revenge and anger throughout the whole story not killing the villain because he realized that it would hurt other people -- even if he still has anger and revenge issues. One of them is a more interesting hero than the other.

It's important to take care of not making your characters predictable. If the audience knows (literally all the time) what a certain character is going to say or do, then the character just has a role disguised as a personality. However it's important to note that consistency and being multifaceted aren't mutually exclusive. The former is what makes the character unique, their "essence," while the latter is how the character's goals are accomplished.

It's important to note that '''no person is 100% introverted nor extraverted'''. All people have moments of both. What needs to be defined is how much.

It's important to note that a shy or lonely character isn't necessarily introverted. An introvert is alone by choice (or by fatigue, as one common theory is the introverts have to use energy to deal with large groups), whereas shy and lonely people are alone because of fear. However, both introversion and shyness may overlap. It's also important to remember the fact that it's impossible for a human being to stand completely on their own. [[TheFourLoves All humans need the love of others]].

"Human Nature," according to Wiki/TheOtherWiki, is "[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_nature the distinguishing characteristics—including ways of thinking, feeling and acting—which humans tend to have naturally, independently of the influence of culture]]." Of course, the article goes on to admit, "The questions of what these characteristics are, how fixed they are, and what causes them are amongst the oldest and most important questions in western philosophy,"

However, it is important to avoid giving a character just [[FatalFlaw a single flaw]] or fake flaws. Characters will and should always have many flaws no matter what, even if those flaws are eventually overcome or controlled through CharacterDevelopment. Humans are imperfect by nature and removing this trait (with very few exceptions) will make your character feel [[UncannyValley inhuman/unreal]].

-->-- Literature/HowNotToWriteANovel, "Too Good to Be True"

** Flanderization [[Administrivia/TropesAreTools isn't generally bad]], but [[Administrivia/TropesAreTools using it too much]] will cause bad reviews and may bring pitfalls as well.