The Psychology of Character

[JamesSavik]

One of the things I'm good about is doing research to flesh out my characters and try to make them real. Their psychology is an important part of understanding them. A classic mistake is creating a character bio in your story. Many times I've seen an author introduce a character:  John Doe is 18, tall, muscular, hung like a horse and is a freshman at state. Sure, that's a Nifty 😉characterization, but not satisfying and very superficial.

While this has the virtue of being succinct, it doesn't give the reader the pleasure of getting to know him. There are many tricks for doing this like having other characters describe them when they meet, their friends talk about them or getting to know them through dialogue - straight from the horse's mouth so to speak.

An important part of characterization that's much more subtle is their psychology, and that's a very deep well. To write a character, you have to understand the character, and see the world through their eyes. This is a huge challenge, but it creates authenticity that resonates with the reader.

In this thread, I'm going to share some of my research.

 

In one of my recent stories, I had a character with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyper Activity Disorder). The stereotype of a kid with ADHD is that they bounce off the walls, and that's fair as far as it goes. There are several flavors of ADHD, but that's only one of them.

 

That can describe how people with ADHD act, but what's going on inside their head? This is a rather brilliant short film that can give you an opportunity to see through their eyes.

 

 

[Libby Drew]

5 hours ago, JamesSavik said:

An important part of characterization that's much more subtle is their psychology, and that's a very deep well. To write a character, you have to understand the character, and see the world through their eyes. This is a huge challenge, but it creates authenticity that resonates with the reader.

Yes, yes, and yes. This is a gem. 

[JamesSavik]

Abuse Trauma

Yeah, this is a fun topic.

This is the quiet kid who comes to school wearing long sleeves to cover the bruises. As it progresses, it's to cover the cuts. Abuse victims often transition directly to substance abuse, often as early as middle school.

I've heard this character archetype called the Lost Child. That's often how they're perceived. This is a kid who will try to be invisible and won't easily interact with peers. If someone approaches them, he'll view them with hostility and suspicion.

Their self-worth is cratered because, if they can't even get along with their parents, why would anybody else want to have anything to do with them?

Abuse takes four forms: physical, sexual, emotional and neglect. All four can leave deep emotional scars.

It's also very, very difficult to spot, especially in boys because they don't want to talk about it(1) and will fervently deny anything is wrong. If you look at the statistics, boys very rarely report abuse because of fear, shame, and the reputation of the system for acting precipitously or incompetently. This denial can last into adulthood. Victims blame themselves, or worse, just assume that's how things are.

While it's difficult to get a boy to report abuse, many times their behaviors absolutely scream it. However, these behaviors can be all over the map. Think of a Venn diagram with two bubbles that overlap.

One bubble is the introverted style, and it's exactly as it sounds. Typical behaviors of the introverted style of an abused boy are: avoidance, shyness, low self-esteem, poor physical care, and if given a chance they will participate half-heartedly or not at all. Think Goth kid. He seeks escape inside himself.

The second bubble is the extraverted style. This is your typical charming bad boy. He may present as a bully and seek physical confrontations.  He may act out physically or sexually. You will often find them playing sports where they can be physical as an outlet. He seeks escape externally.

Where this gets confusing is that the two styles can overlap and present features of both styles. Sometimes they can flip over time, leading to dramatic personality changes. A common theme with boys suffering from abuse trauma is they try very hard to fit in and NOT BE NOTICED.

Boys who have suffered abuse trauma often end up in trouble - especially over substance abuse issues. They are treated for alcoholism or addiction, but the underlying problem is unaddressed, complicating any kind of recovery. Other forms of trouble they are likely to fall into are shoplifting, vandalism, and fighting. While most people might shrug this off as boys being boys, and there's some truth to that, but when it becomes a pattern, there is a problem.

 

To writers, characterization for a boy with abuse trauma is challenging. Their behavior can range from people-pleasing to violently anti-social. I feel if we write this character, we should do him justice. They will be complex and difficult, but if done right, they'll steal your readers' hearts.

Two of them are in my latest story - Initiation Weekend: Tommy Johnson and Rebel Wright. Tommy is a 17-year-old who has tried his best to please an angry, abusive father with rage issues. Rebel Wright, a stormy 14-year-old, is much more subtle, but his behavior gives him away. Notice how his behavior patterns flipped from an angry bully to sweet to the point of gullibility.

The best characters aren't just words. People are complex critters, with layers and depth. When we explore those depths, characters acquire dimensions that transcend the mere two dimensions of prose. If you build them right, the reader can almost see them and feel for them.

 

_______

 

 

(1) Certainly not with an adult, but they may open up to a peer. Sometimes friends can be literal lifesavers.

 

Edited April 4 by JamesSavik

[LJCC]

On 3/31/2024 at 3:55 PM, JamesSavik said:

Many times I've seen an author introduce a character:  John Doe is 18, tall, muscular, hung like a horse and is a freshman at state. Sure, that's a Nifty 😉characterization, but not satisfying and very superficial.

...John Doe is 18, tall, muscular, hung like a horse and will punch your face if you piss him off, but will also, er, like, not punch you if you suck his dick and he'll fall for you if you ask about his feelings, but not so much, since he's very manly and will only open up to you coz' of plot reasons. He also has plot friends who don't have any backstory and will come and go for various reasons. Did I mention he has emotional scars that will get healed by the most manliest chick-with-dicks character simp who wants to fix him?

I've read stories like this in Nifty, and pretty much everything is a summary. If I were John, I'd be like, "Are you kidding me? Are you fucking kidding me? My entire life and character summarized in one paragraph in an 80k novel? And you didn't even spread it around, it's literally in one paragraph. Fuck you, author."

[JamesSavik]

Early Onset Puberty in Boys

Precocious Puberty can occur in both boys and girls for a number of reasons. It can be caused by glandular malfunctions or, tumors. This is an actual disorder, and can occur in both sexes as early as seven.

Early Onset Puberty is natural, runs in families (genetic), and can be very awkward for a boy socially. Suddenly, a fifth or sixth grader, can tower over their peers, and have all the puberty-related changes like a growth spurt, deepening voice, maturing genitalia, and libido to match.

For most boys, the more obvious manifestations of puberty begin around thirteen or seventh grade. Early onset puberty can start at ten or eleven and can present some challenges for boys.

First - parents can miss this completely. Sure, little Billy is getting bigger, but he's a growing boy. Right?

Second - when a boy in elementary school, fourth or fifth grade, starts puberty, it invites comment and curiosity by their peers.

Third - most boys of this age aren't prepared for puberty emotionally.

Boys with early onset puberty are apt to engage in sex play, and exhibitionism, which can cause them a great deal of trouble. They literally can't engage in sex with their peers, as peers aren't ready or equipped for it. They often end up with older partners and negative consequences.

Sexually, they are the equals of boys two and three years older than they are, but they don't have the emotional maturity and experience to match.

Their peers may react with jealousy at their more developed... attributes.

Two examples of my character who are blessed (or cursed) with early onset puberty are:

Scotty Cross from The Summer Job.

Billy Barnes from The Company.

 

Edited April 6 by JamesSavik

[JamesSavik]

Dissociative Identity Disorder

Here's a malady that has often been misunderstood and is one of the most abused troupes in fiction. Often called Multiple Identity Disorder, it is a very rare, misunderstood and often presents itself in unique ways.

For years, DID (formerly called Multiple Identity Disorder) has been controversial. Some psychiatrists have denied it exists, and it was used as a dubious and failed criminal defense strategy in high-profile murder cases.

DID is extremely rare because it takes a horrendous amount of abuse to trigger it. Any sane person, family member or teacher who witnessed it would blow the whistle - unless they are religious fanatics. Victims are often raised inside cults and subject to abuse of all sorts: physical, emotional, sexual and neglect. DID is a rare response to abuse trauma. Other responses are much more common, and DID is often comorbid with all sorts of other psychiatric maladies.

DID is much more common in females than males and the stats are confusing, but most of them look like a 65/35 female/male split.

Contrary to fiction, personalities almost always retain the gender of the sufferer.

Abuse causes Dissociation, or an emotional detachment. Many people who experience abuse trauma describe this state as "going away".

Repeated abuse/trauma can cause this state to extend and form personalities amenable to the abusers.

 

For instance: John Doe is a teen who has been abused in all manner of ways since he was a small child.  Four different personalities manifest.

Good John is a sweet boy who is compliant and obedient. Good John will obey and do all his chores. He's a people pleaser.

Bad John is the angry child who has been suppressed. Bad John understands he's a punching bag and acts out on his anger.

Sexy John is compliant with and enthusiastic about sexual abuse. It's easier that way, doesn't hurt as much, and it is over sooner that way. He may trick or lure other children to the abuser.

Calculating John is a cold and calculating personality that lies in the background and manipulates things for all the John's benefit. Calculating John is a controlling personality who is distinct from the others. His imperatives are survival oriented. He watches and makes decisions like not antagonizing his abusers.

John will appear to be the same person, but one of these personalities will be predominate.

 

Needless to say, if you take on writing a character like this, it can be a wild ride. For instance, if Sexy John is in charge in the middle school locker room, things are going to get interesting. Bad John will be wildly popular with the kids who sneak smokes behind the building, and Good John will be a teacher's pet. Calculating John will blame others for all their misdeeds.

DID is the aftermath of a disastrous childhood. Sufferers present from mild to profound symptomatology. You will need to do a lot of research and think through how this character will act and react to situations and which personality will manifest. It makes my head hurt thinking about just how deep a dive it could take.

 

I have only one character who manifests a mild form of DID. It's Joey Ashcraft from the Company.

Joey's mother is an alcoholic who stays drunk and eventually became unemployable. Joey became a hustler to bring cash home and evolved a protective personality called Rebel. Where Joey is a sweet little boy, Rebel is loud, brash and aggressive-a survival adaptation. When Rebel was removed from the chaos and provided support, Rebel receded as he was no longer necessary, and Joey became dominate. Rebel is still in there and will emerge if he's threatened, but in his new circumstances where he's safe and secure, Rebel is unnecessary and Joey is dominate. He is under psychiatric care.

This was an extremely simplistic example, but about the best I could manage.

.

For a short example, see: Two for the Price of One

Edited April 16 by JamesSavik

[JamesSavik]

Big T Trauma

 

There is trauma, and then there is TRAUMA. Some therapists call it Big T Trauma. It's not caused by harsh words. This is not to disparage the ordinary traumas we deal with occasionally. This is no shit, life-wrecking big ticket trauma. The kind that marks you indelibly for life.

Big T Trauma comes about from:

• Natural Disasters
• War
• Accidents
• Assault with injury
• Rape
• Physical/Sexual Abuse

There are several factors that influence outcomes:

• Duration of the Event - Wars or abuse that last years will be different from a mugging or tornado that lasts minutes.
• Support - If support is immediately available.
• Medical Care - If injured, medical care is available.
• Shame - whether the victim will seek help.

 

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

No one knows why some people can go, fight in a war and feel no ill effects, and another soldier will be broken by the experience. It is a heavily studied phenomenon, and no one can tell you why exactly. We do know what it looks like. Trauma can rewire you for survival, but this rewiring job isn't optimized for living life.

For instance: many soldiers who fought in the Korean War couldn't sleep at night because NK soldiers would use the dark to infiltrate UN lines and cut throats. This keeps him alive in combat, but makes him a poor fit for an 8-5 job.

PTSD has several ugly hallmarks that make life difficult.

• Hypervigilance - the nervous system is on high alert constantly. This makes a person look jittery all the time.
• Sleep Disturbances - difficulty falling or staying asleep, insomnia and nightmares
• Chemical Dependency - PTSD suffers often use drugs and alcohol to self-medicate for their symptoms and create even worse problems for themselves
• Flashbacks - the event replays in your head
• Intrusive Thoughts - part of the survival imperative. For example, if you go into an unfamiliar building, you look for a quick way out just in case.
• Avoidance - you desperately don't want to think or talk about IT.
• Mood Disorders - depression and anxiety
• Negativity and hopelessness
• Suicidal ideation

Folks, this is as ugly as it gets. PTSD is challenging to treat, difficult to live with, and hard to get the sufferer to even acknowledge it. This shit kills people.

I'll end this here, and pick it up next week.

 

This photo from WW 2 is the classic example of the 1000 Yard Stare.

Edited April 21 by JamesSavik