Using psychology to define a character

Using psychology to define a character’s motivations, goals, misbelief, and character arc in your novel 🔮

At university, a fellow student once questioned why theoretical frameworks were useful, and our professor responded that they were “good to think with”.

That phrasing burrowed deep into my brain, and has lived there ever since. It’s one of the reasons I love frameworks and guidelines and novel templates — not because these should be followed to the letter, but because they are good to think with.

Thinking about characters

I’ve been thinking a lot about theoretical tools that might be helpful for thinking through characters. Two of my (current) favourite storytelling theory books to think with are The Story Grid, and Story Genius. And lately, I’ve been diving back into these for insights on character creation.

Based on The Story Grid and Story Genius, there are three main requirements for establishing a character:

1. What they want — i.e: their external goal and internal goal (which should be in conflict with each other).

2. How they will transform over the course of your story — this is their arc/journey.

3. What is their misbelief — the flawed way that they see the world as a result of previous trauma that is holding them back from getting what they want, and which will have to transform in order to achieve their objective.

All of this is helpful to define, but it still feels a lot like an unexplored mini-map to me. If everything is blanked out, and I can only see the landscape I’ve already tread, I never really know what my options are. I don’t want to go to a theme-park, only to discover later that there were several rides I didn’t even know about.

The 16 basic desires theory

Enter: Steven Reiss — a psychology professor at Ohio State University, who researched desire in over 6,000 participants in four continents and identified 16 core desires that motivate human behaviour.

These desires are intrinsic motivations — things people pursue for their own sake rather than as means to another end. We pursue ALL sixteen simultaneously, but individuals prioritise them differently.

So, I wondered if the desires a character prioritises could be used as a tool when defining that character’s goals, misbelief and character arc:

• Which one of the 16 desires does a character prioritise as number 1?

  • Why that one, and why is that the priority right now?

• What misbeliefs are most likely to be a factor for that desire?

• What transformation would be necessary to overcome each misbelief?

Essentially: Can Reiss’ 16 desires unfog the map in the character creation theme-park, so we know what our options are going in, and we can make choices that better serve our story?

LET’S FIND OUT!

Using desire priority to define a character

While each character will pursue all of these desires to different degrees, they are going to be prioritising a couple. My theory is that the desire that they are prioritising above all else (Number 1) will be the one that aligns with their external goal.

This is helpful to know, because if you know what they’re going after, you can use the aligned core desire to define a misbelief, internal goal, and arc that serves the story. Or, if you have an idea of what basic desire is most interesting for you to explore, you can use it to identify storytelling opportunities that help you hone in on that.

Acceptance

The desire for approval, and self-worth

External Goals: Joining an exclusive group, winning a competition for recognition, gaining admission to a prestigious institution, forgiveness for a past transgression.

Potential Misbeliefs¹: "I must change who I am to be worthy of love," "My value depends on others' approval,” "Rejection means I'm fundamentally flawed."

Character Arc²: A character driven by acceptance might begin by contorting themselves to please others (Inciting Incident: a significant rejection). As they pursue external validation, Progressive Complications arise when their people-pleasing behaviours create more problems than they solve. The Crisis forces a choice between authenticity and approval. The Climax shows them either embracing their true self despite rejection or continuing down a self-destructive path of seeking validation. The Resolution reveals the consequences of their choice — either newfound self-acceptance or continued emotional dependency.

So: Rejection → External Validation → Authenticity → Self-acceptance

Power

The desire for influence, leadership, and mastery

External Goals: Gaining political office, becoming CEO, defeating a rival, achieving leadership position.

Potential Misbeliefs: "Power is the ultimate goal," "You're either a winner or a loser," "Compassion is weakness," “I don’t deserve real power,” “I’ll never be truly powerful.”

Character Arc: A power-motivated character begins seeking control (Inciting Incident: loss of power or authority). Progressive Complications arise as their pursuit of power leads to isolation and moral compromise. The Crisis presents a choice between power and relationships/principles. The Climax shows their decision to either redefine success beyond power or continue a lonely climb. The Resolution reveals the consequences for both their influence and humanity.

So: Subjugated → Powerless → Powerful → Superpowered

Curiosity

The desire for knowledge and understanding

External Goals: Solving a mystery, making a scientific discovery, investigating a historical event.

Potential Misbeliefs: "Knowledge is always beneficial regardless of cost," "The truth must be uncovered at any price," "Understanding everything will bring happiness."

Character Arc: A curiosity-driven character begins with an insatiable need to know (Inciting Incident: discovery of a mystery). Progressive Complications arise as their pursuit of knowledge leads to increasingly dangerous or morally ambiguous situations. The Crisis presents a dilemma between pursuing truth and protecting themselves or others. The Climax shows their decision to either temper curiosity with wisdom or be consumed by it. The Resolution demonstrates how this choice has transformed their relationship with knowledge.

So: Curious/Naive → Learning → Understanding → Wisdom

Family

The desire to raise children and spend time together

External Goals: Reuniting estranged family members, protecting family from external threats, creating a meaningful legacy.

Potential Misbeliefs: "Family loyalty trumps all moral concerns," "I must sacrifice everything for my family," "Blood ties are the only relationships that truly matter."

Character Arc: A family-focused character begins with unwavering dedication to family obligations (Inciting Incident: a family crisis). Progressive Complications arise when family demands conflict with personal needs or ethics. The Crisis forces them to choose between blind family loyalty and personal integrity. The Climax shows their decision to either redefine family bonds or remain trapped in unhealthy patterns. The Resolution demonstrates the impact of this choice on both their family relationships and individual fulfilment.

So: Toxicity → Self-sacrificing → Boundaries → Balance

Idealism

The desire for equality, social justice, and the pursuit of altruistic goals

External Goals: Leading a social movement, changing an unjust law, exposing corruption.

Potential Misbeliefs: "The ends always justify the means," "People who disagree are morally inferior," "Perfect justice is achievable."

Character Arc: An idealistic character begins with passionate commitment to a cause (Inciting Incident: witnessing injustice). Progressive Complications arise as their pursuit of justice leads to difficult moral compromises. The Crisis forces them to confront the gap between ideals and implementation. The Climax shows their decision to either embrace a more nuanced approach or become the very thing they fight against. The Resolution reveals how this choice affects both their cause and their humanity.

So: Distopia → Injustice/Inequality → Justice/Equality → Utopia

Independence

The desire for self-reliance, autonomy, and individuality

External Goals: Living self-sufficiently, starting a business, breaking free from controlling relationships.

Potential Misbeliefs: "Needing others is weakness," "I must do everything alone," "Vulnerability threatens freedom."

Character Arc: A fiercely independent character begins by avoiding dependence at all costs (Inciting Incident: a situation forcing collaboration). Progressive Complications arise as their isolation creates new problems. The Crisis presents a choice between maintaining absolute autonomy and accepting healthy interdependence. The Climax shows their decision to either open themselves to connection or retreat further into isolation. The Resolution demonstrates the consequences of this choice for their freedom and relationships.

So: Dependent → Healthy Interdependence → Independent → Isolated

Order

The desire for structure and organised systems

External Goals: Creating a perfect system, restoring order to chaos, establishing clear rules and procedures.

Potential Misbeliefs: "Control equals safety," "Uncertainty is always dangerous," "Everything has one correct place."

Character Arc: An order-seeking character begins with rigid need for structure (Inciting Incident: unexpected chaos disrupting their system). Progressive Complications arise as their attempts to control everything actually create more disorder. The Crisis forces them to choose between their need for certainty and adaptation to unpredictability. The Climax shows their decision to either embrace flexibility or double down on control. The Resolution reveals how this choice affects their ability to navigate an inherently unpredictable world.

So: Uncertainty → Disorder → Order → Control

Physical Activity

The desire for exercise and movement

External Goals: Winning an athletic competition, completing a physical challenge, achieving physical transformation.

Potential Misbeliefs: "Physical prowess determines my worth," "Showing any weakness is unacceptable," "My body defines who I am."

Character Arc: A physically-driven character begins with identity centred on physical ability (Inciting Incident: injury or limitation). Progressive Complications arise as their physical focus is challenged by circumstances beyond their control. The Crisis forces them to choose between defining themselves solely through physical achievement or developing other dimensions of identity. The Climax shows their decision to either evolve beyond physical definition or remain limited by it. The Resolution demonstrates how this choice shapes their self-concept and goals.

So: Inactive → Challenged/Limited → Diligent → Physical Triumph

Romance

The desire for courtship, beauty, and intimacy

External Goals: According to Gwen Hayes’ Romancing the Beat, the goal in a romance is connection.

Potential Misbeliefs: "I’m not worthy of love," "Real love is a fantasy," "Love makes you vulnerable."

Character Arc: A romance-focused character begins believing that they don’t need, or want, love/connection (Inciting Incident: meet cute). Progressive Complications arise as their misbelief clashes with the reality of falling for someone. The Crisis forces them to choose between their misbelief and authentic connection. The Climax shows their decision to either embrace vulnerability and connection or continue in their misbelief. The Resolution demonstrates how this choice affects their capacity for genuine love.

So: Out Of Love → Running → Falling → Wholehearted/In Love

Eating

The desire for food, nourishment or consumption

External Goals: Becoming a renowned chef, winning a culinary competition, preparing a special meal, finding/growing food in a scarce environment.

Potential Misbeliefs: "Food is the only reliable source of comfort," "Providing food is the only way I can show love."

Character Arc: A character motivated by eating might begin with an unhealthy relationship with food or the preparation of food (Inciting Incident: a culinary failure or revelation). Progressive Complications arise as their fixation creates conflicts in other areas of life. The Crisis forces them to confront the emotional issues they've been avoiding through food or cooking. The Climax shows their decision to develop a healthier relationship with eating/cooking. The Resolution reveals how this transformation affects their life and relationships.

So: Fixation → Avoidance → Shifting Worldview → Balance

Saving

The desire to collect and preserve

External Goals: Building wealth, completing a valuable collection, preserving artifacts.

Potential Misbeliefs: “The more I have, the safer I am," "Letting go means losing control," “ Other people can’t be trusted with this, only I can keep it safe.”

Character Arc: A saving-oriented character begins with strong attachment to a collection/object/possessions (Inciting Incident: threat to their collection/resources). Progressive Complications arise as their saving behaviour restricts other aspects of life. The Crisis forces them to choose between holding on and letting go. The Climax shows their decision to either redefine abundance beyond possession or remain defined by what they own. The Resolution reveals the impact of this choice on their security and freedom.

So: Holding On (Control/Safety) → Uncertainty → Letting Go → True Abundance

Social Contact

The desire for friendship and community

External Goals: Being popular, creating community, finding authentic friendship.

Potential Misbeliefs: "Being alone means being unloved," "Quantity of relationships matters more than quality."

Character Arc: A socially-motivated character begins seeking connection at any cost (Inciting Incident: significant social rejection). Progressive Complications arise as their pursuit of acceptance leads to superficial relationships. The Crisis presents a choice between authenticity and popularity. The Climax shows their decision to either cultivate meaningful connections or continue collecting shallow relationships. The Resolution demonstrates how this choice affects their sense of belonging.

So: Isolation → Rejection → Connection → Belonging

Status

The desire for importance, attention, respect and social standing

External Goals: Achieving fame, gaining prestige, moving up social hierarchy.

Potential Misbeliefs: "Worth is determined by social rank," "Appearances matter more than reality," "Others' opinions matter more than my own opinion."

Character Arc: A status-seeking character begins pursuing external validation (Inciting Incident: status loss or humiliation). Progressive Complications arise as their focus on appearances creates internal emptiness. The Crisis forces them to choose between authentic accomplishment and superficial recognition. The Climax shows their decision to either redefine success internally or continue chasing external markers. The Resolution reveals how this choice affects both their social position and self-worth.

So: Irrelevance → Accomplishment → Recognition → Respect

Tranquility

The desire for safety, and an absence of fear and anxiety

External Goals: Creating a safe haven, escaping danger, finding inner peace.

Potential Misbeliefs: "All risk must be avoided," "Safety requires isolation," "Peace means absence of conflict."

Character Arc: A tranquility-focused character begins avoiding all discomfort (Inciting Incident: unavoidable danger). Progressive Complications arise as their safety measures create new problems and limitations. The Crisis presents a choice between growth through discomfort or stagnation through safety. The Climax shows their decision to either embrace necessary risk or retreat further. The Resolution demonstrates how this choice affects both their security and fulfilment.

So: Avoidant → Risk → Growth → True Security

Vengeance

The desire to confront, defeat, and get retribution or revenge

External Goals: Defeating a rival, exposing a wrongdoer, achieving justice for past wrongs.

Potential Misbeliefs: "Justice requires punishment," "The score must always be settled," "Forgiveness means weakness."

Character Arc: A vengeance-driven character begins seeking retribution (Inciting Incident: significant betrayal or injustice). Progressive Complications arise as their pursuit of revenge consumes them and creates collateral damage. The Crisis forces them to choose between vengeance and breaking the cycle. The Climax shows their decision to either pursue healing or continue seeking retribution. The Resolution reveals how this choice affects both their sense of justice and ability to move forward.

So: Injustice → Revenge → Balance → Justice

Honour

The desire to maintain an upright character, moral code, or loyalty

External Goals: Upholding a sacred promise, doing the right thing (whatever that means to them), living according to a strict moral code.

Potential Misbeliefs: "Honour requires absolute perfection," "Compromise is always weakness," "Traditions must never change."

Character Arc: An honour-driven character begins with rigid adherence to a code (Inciting Incident: a situation challenging their principles). Progressive Complications arise as their inflexible standards create conflict in a complex world. The Crisis presents a dilemma between adhering to the letter of their code and its spirit. The Climax reveals their choice to either evolve their understanding of honour or remain imprisoned by rigid thinking. The Resolution shows the consequences of this choice for their integrity and relationships.

So: Dishonoured → Rigid Adherence → Morally Conflicted → Honourable

1. As per Story Genius, the internal story (or third rail) is the character grappling with this misbelief, which is holding them back from achieving the thing they want most.

2. I’m using The Story Grid approach to scoping out the character arc here. Which is to show the transformation at key stages of the story. I’m only showing a negative → Positive arc, but as Coynes reminds us: “It will arc from negative to positive or positive to negative depending on your subgenre.”