AFFECTIONATE DEFINITION:showing open fondness for others CATEGORIES:identity, interactive SIMILAR ATTRIBUTES:doting, loving, tender POSSIBLE CAUSES: Growing up in a loving home Overcompensating for a lack of love in the past Having affectionate role models Neediness; a fear of being alone or abandoned Having a romantic nature Being highly empathetic Having a desire to nurture ASSOCIATED BEHAVIORS: Hugging, kissing and nuzzling Holding hands Wanting to hold and be held Holding onto someone’s arm to keep the person close Stroking an arm or shoulder for physical reassurance Giving compliments and praising others Doing favors for others (small acts of kindness, etc.) Writing poetry for a loved one Offering small gifts or tokens Being able to read the body language of others Freely expressing one’s feelings Giving massages and foot rubs Telling loved ones how special they are Being supportive of loved ones in all their endeavors Sitting and touching (legs touching, a hand on the other’s leg, etc.) Putting an arm around someone’s shoulder Saying words of encouragement Sensory sensitivity, especially to touch Agreeing to do things that will please one’s significant other Adopting another’s hobbies or interests as a way of increasing intimacy Calling a loved one frequently during the day Pursuing sexual intimacy SayingI love you Building strong relationships Compassion Empathy Using pet names; talking in a playful voice Trustworthiness Being emotionally vulnerable and open Kindness and friendliness Being motivated by goodwill and love Intuitively assessing the needs and moods of others Being open about one’s emotions Being observant; paying attention to what loved ones need Speaking affectionately of loved ones to others ASSOCIATED THOUGHTS: Dave seems tense. A back rub will help him relax. I don’t care what my mother thinks. I love Amy, and I’m going to show it. Allen is so good to me. I think I’ll surprise him with a romantic dinner. It’s so sweet when my kids hold hands! ASSOCIATED EMOTIONS:adoration, desire, elation, gratitude, love, peacefulness, satisfaction POSITIVE ASPECTS:Affectionate characters show their emotions in obvious ways. They’re attuned to their feelings and aren’t ashamed to tell others how they feel. Through their lack of inhibition, these characters build healthy and nurturing relationships that make others feel safe and loved. NEGATIVE ASPECTS:These characters may not always properly judge when and where to indulge in public displays of affection. From a mom hugging her teenage son in front of his peers to a make-out session between co-workers at the office Christmas party, affectionate displays are not always appropriate and can cause embarrassment for others. EXAMPLE FROM LITERATURE:InAnne of Green Gables, Diana Barry is the girl next door who is full of romantic ideas of friendship and love. Devoted to Anne, Diana sees her as an adventurous sister and the two become inseparable. Always hugging or holding hands to show their closeness, they stage a ceremony to declare their future as “bosom” friends. Diana becomes an important person in Anne’s life by showing her the warmth and love that Anne had always longed for.Other Examples from Film, TV, and Literature:Evelyn and Rick O’Connell (The Mummy Returns), Abby Sciuto (NCIS), Novice Aes Sedai (The Wheel of Time) TRAITS IN SUPPORTING CHARACTERS THAT MAY CAUSE CONFLICT:cruel, dishonest, gullible, hostile, inhibited, proper, timid, withdrawn CHALLENGING SCENARIOS FOR THE AFFECTIONATE CHARACTER: PLOTLINE: Being absent from loved ones for long periods (being a soldier or having to travel for work, etc.) PLOTLINE: Being in a relationship that is forbidden or taboo by societal or religious standards PLOTLINE: Experiencing upsets in a marriage or committed relationship PLOTLINE: Hiding a relationship from others PLOTLINE: Being forced into a marriage where one doesn’t feel affection for one’s partner PLOTLINE: Being drawn to someone who is uncomfortable with physical touch