Bringing Your Characters to Life with AI - Personality Frameworks
Diving deeper into our character-building series, today we're tackling Personality Frameworks. Think of these frameworks as the DNA of your characters, a blueprint detailing their behavioral patterns, decision-making processes, and responses to life's curveballs.
Let's take a moment to appreciate the beauty of personality frameworks. Ever wondered how Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes, an INTJ in Myers-Briggs speak, can systematically dissect mysteries with such cold, unerring logic? Or how Elizabeth Bennett, our favorite Pride and Prejudice protagonist and a presumed ENFP, can dazzle us with her vivacious spirit and lively mind? The key lies in the comprehensive characterization allowed by personality frameworks.
Incorporating frameworks such as Myers-Briggs, the Enneagram, or even Astrological signs into your character profiles offers your AI co-author a detailed roadmap of your characters' inner landscapes. These frameworks provide a shared language, a point of reference that your AI co-writer can tap into to ensure your character’s words and actions align with their predefined personality traits.
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a common favorite. This system categorizes personality types along four dichotomies: Extraversion/Introversion, Sensing/Intuition, Thinking/Feeling, and Judging/Perceiving. Each character type resulting from these combinations carries its own behavioral tendencies, strengths, and weaknesses - a goldmine for any storyteller!
Consider the Enneagram, another comprehensive personality system that outlines nine distinct personality types. Each type, numbered one through nine, carries its own worldview and coping mechanisms, offering you rich material to draw upon when crafting your characters.
Astrological signs, while perhaps less scientifically grounded, nonetheless offer intriguing characterization tools. These twelve Zodiac signs, each with its own set of traits, preferences, and tendencies, can give your characters an additional layer of complexity.
Take the fiery Aries, known for their courage and competitive spirit. Or the analytical Virgo, praised for their meticulous nature and practical approach. The diversity in these astrological characterizations can provide a fresh perspective and an extra touch of uniqueness to your characters.
Take a look at the list of ten (10) frameworks below. Are there any that call out to you?
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) - This framework categorizes individuals into 16 personality types based on four dichotomies: Extraversion/Introversion, Sensing/Intuition, Thinking/Feeling, and Judging/Perceiving.
Enneagram - A model of the human psyche which is principally understood and taught as a typology of nine interconnected personality types.
Big Five Personality Traits (OCEAN) - Based on five broad dimensions of personality: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism.
DISC Assessment - A behavior assessment tool based on four different personality traits: Dominance (D), Influence (I), Steadiness (S), and Conscientiousness (C).
Astrological Signs - Twelve Zodiac signs, each carrying a unique set of traits, preferences, and tendencies that could shape a character’s personality.
Keirsey Temperament Sorter - An instrument to help people discover their personality type. It's based on Keirsey's observations that people have four basic temperaments: Artisan, Guardian, Idealist, and Rational.
Color Code (Hartman Personality Profile) - A personality test that categorizes people into four different color-coded groups (Red, Blue, White, Yellow) based on their core motives.
StrengthsFinder (CliftonStrengths) - A tool that focuses on identifying an individual's unique ranking of 34 theme-based strengths.
Holland Codes (RIASEC) - Six personality types developed by psychologist John L. Holland—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional.
Belbin Team Roles - This theory proposes that successful teams have diverse roles filled by different personalities. There are nine team roles divided into three groups: Action Orientated, People Oriented, and Thought Oriented.
Bonus Framework! Dark Tetrad - This personality framework focuses on four socially aversive personality traits: narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and sadism. It can be particularly useful when developing complex, gray characters or compelling villains.
Extra Bonus Framework! Chinese Zodiac - This framework is based on a twelve-year cycle, with each year associated with a specific animal sign: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Each animal sign carries distinct characteristics that could shape a character's personality.
By exploring these personality frameworks, we're effectively equipping our AI co-writers with the nuances and complexities that make our characters as lifelike and relatable as possible. We're not just creating characters; we're breathing life into them.
Imagine a character, not as a mere amalgamation of traits but as a unique entity with a distinct way of viewing and interacting with the world. That's the beauty these frameworks bring to our stories.
Next time, we'll dive into the world of hand-crafted personality traits, providing our AI even more nuanced material to work with. But until then, have fun exploring these personality frameworks and watching your characters grow into well-rounded, engaging beings. Remember, in the realm of storytelling, your characters' personalities are as vital as the story itself. So, let's get mapping!
