Strategy:
As writers, we often focus on external obstacles and physical limitations when dreaming up challenges for our characters. But what about the invisible barriers erected by the mind itself? Enter the fascinating world of psychological constraints—the hidden web of assumptions, beliefs, and biases that unconsciously shape a character's perception of their options in any given situation. By diving deep into the unspoken rules, taboos, and mental models our characters operate under, we can craft richer, more nuanced portrayals of the internal factors driving their behavior.
Instructions:
Know Your Character: Choose a character and list some key traits that define them, such as their occupation, background, personality, beliefs, and fears. These form the foundation of their unique psychological profile.
Set the Scene: Describe a specific situation or dilemma the character finds themselves in. What is their goal, and what stands in their way? Paint a vivid picture of their environment and available resources.
Invisible Barriers Brainstorm: Consider the psychological factors that might be limiting the character's perception of their options, such as:
Expected Effects: What outcomes do they assume are impossible or not worth considering?
Evolutionary Pressures: How might innate drives for survival, status, or belonging be steering their choices?
Cultural Constraints: What societal norms, taboos, or expectations are they consciously or unconsciously adhering to?
Personal History: How has their unique backstory and past experiences shaped their outlook and go-to behaviors?
Hidden Rationale: Pick one or two key psychological constraints from your brainstorm. Write a paragraph exploring the character's inner monologue and rationalizations around this barrier. What's their unspoken logic for why certain options are off-limits or unthinkable?
Constraint-Driven Action: Now, write a scene where the character makes a surprising or seemingly irrational decision that stems directly from the psychological constraint you explored. Show us how this invisible barrier is secretly calling the shots.
Moment of Truth (optional): For an added twist, consider how you might bring the character's hidden rationale to light. Perhaps another character calls out their behavior, or an unexpected event forces them to confront the flaws in their own logic. How do they react when forced to question the invisible scripts guiding their actions?
Tags: character development, psychological constraints, character psychology, invisible barriers, decision-making
Category: Drafting a Manuscript > Introduce Change »Action
Example:
Know Your Character: Jenna is a high-powered corporate lawyer who grew up in poverty, and had to claw her way to the top. Because of this she’s fiercely independent, driven, competitive and believes that success comes from self-reliance, never show weakness. Secretly, she’s most afraid of losing everything, or being seen as a failure.
Set the Scene: The character, Jenna, is leading a major merger deal. A key client suddenly backs out at the last minute, jeopardizing the deal and Jenna's reputation. She needs to find a way to save face and salvage the situation.
Invisible Barriers Brainstorm:
Expected Effects: There’s no point asking for help since no one would step in
Evolutionary Pressures: Showing vulnerability could lower her status, threatening her livelihood
Cultural Constraints: The cutthroat corporate world rewards ruthless individualism, not collaboration
Personal History: Growing up, relying on others always led to disappointment. Self-sufficiency is her only defense.
Hidden Rationale: Jenna prides herself on her razor-sharp competence and take-no-prisoners attitude. In her mind, asking for support would be a sign of weakness—an unforgivable sin in the unsparing world she's fought so hard to conquer. She imagines the knowing looks and whispered judgments of her colleagues, the shame of being exposed as just another imposter in over her head. No, the only acceptable path is to project an image of invulnerable control, no matter the private toll.
Constraint-Driven Action: Jenna works in silence, pulling a series of all-nighters as she races to single-handedly re-strategize the deal and woo back the client. Her team's concerns and offers of assistance are brusquely rebuffed. At a crucial meeting, an exhausted, underprepared Jenna launches into an aggressive hard-sell, alienating the client and demolishing any hope of reconciliation. The deal crumbles to ash in her hands.
Moment of Truth (optional): Jenna is sent on a team-building retreat, and while she’s relaxing on a paddleboat, she’s caught in a riptide. She doesn’t call out for help and is washed out to sea and ends up on a remote island where she spends the next 100 days in isolation until someone finally sees her desperate attempts to ask for help.