Guide to character motivation, contrast and conflict : inspiration for writing conflict, contrast and motivation from Jung’s cognitive functions
Nieminen, Simo Veikko Olavi (2024)
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2024120231854
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2024120231854
Tiivistelmä
Writing relatable, lively, realistic, and diverse characters constitutes a challenge for writers regardless of the amount of experience. Multiple writers agree that conflict, motives, goals, strengths, and weaknesses are essential when creating realistic, relatable, and compelling characters. Although professionals use different terms for it, there is an underlying pattern, which many professionals can agree on. The objective of this thesis was to collect information on character writing and investigate how to use Carl Jung’s theory as a tool for character building.
The theoretical section explored basics of writing characters, seeking the core elements for character-writing, and what makes the characters come alive and relatable for us. The thesis also investigated Swiss psychologist Carl Jung’s theory about cognitive functions, which explain human thought processes, and somewhat behaviour and motivations. Most importantly related to the topic of character design, the inner contrast and conflict within and between psychological types. Theoretical frameworks of different authors were gathered and compared. Literature review of Jung’s theory and psychiatrist John Beebe’s interpretation aimed to provide a useful tool for mapping out a character’s motivation, weaknesses and potential for growth.
The findings indicate that further research is required to prove this kind of tool to be helpful in character building. The thesis takes this research forward by answering how to make connections between the theories, providing a new resource for writers.
The theoretical section explored basics of writing characters, seeking the core elements for character-writing, and what makes the characters come alive and relatable for us. The thesis also investigated Swiss psychologist Carl Jung’s theory about cognitive functions, which explain human thought processes, and somewhat behaviour and motivations. Most importantly related to the topic of character design, the inner contrast and conflict within and between psychological types. Theoretical frameworks of different authors were gathered and compared. Literature review of Jung’s theory and psychiatrist John Beebe’s interpretation aimed to provide a useful tool for mapping out a character’s motivation, weaknesses and potential for growth.
The findings indicate that further research is required to prove this kind of tool to be helpful in character building. The thesis takes this research forward by answering how to make connections between the theories, providing a new resource for writers.