The 3rd Layer of Character: Psychological (What Drives Them)

At the core of every compelling character lies their deepest motivations, fears, and desires. This is the 3rd Layer of Character, the psychological dimension, which forms the foundation of who they are and why they do what they do. While the sociological layer explains how a character’s environment has influenced them, the psychological layer answers the question: "What do they truly want, and why?"

The 3rd layer is the engine driving your character. It’s often shaped by nature—their innate desires—but also interacts with nurture, as their experiences shape how they pursue those desires. In this article, we’ll explore what the psychological layer entails, introduce the 16 Basic Desires, and show how these core motivations connect to the other two layers.

What Is the 3rd Layer of Character?

The psychological layer is a character’s core identity. It consists of the fundamental desires, fears, and motivations that define their internal world and drive their decisions and actions. While the 1st layer is about what the world sees and the 2nd layer is about their context, the 3rd layer delves into why they behave the way they do.

• Example: A character who relentlessly pursues career success might have a high desire for status and power at their core. This internal drive explains why they work tirelessly and sacrifice personal relationships, even if their upbringing (2nd layer) provided wealth and privilege.

The 16 Basic Desires

Steven Reiss’s model of the 16 Basic Desires provides a framework for understanding the fundamental motivations that shape human behavior. Each character’s personality can be mapped by rating the intensity of these desires as high, average, or low:

1. Power: Desire for influence and control over others.

   • High: Ambitious, assertive, enjoys leadership.

   • Low: Avoids responsibility, prefers collaboration.

2. Independence: Desire for autonomy and self-reliance.

   • High: Values freedom, resists authority.

   • Low: Prefers guidance, thrives in teamwork.

3. Curiosity: Desire for knowledge and understanding.

   • High: Inquisitive, analytical, loves learning.

   • Low: Uninterested in complexity, prefers routine.

4. Acceptance: Desire for approval and belonging.

   • High: People-pleaser, sensitive to rejection.

   • Low: Self-assured, indifferent to others’ opinions.

5. Order: Desire for structure and organization.

   • High: Perfectionist, thrives in routines.

   • Low: Flexible, comfortable with chaos.

6. Saving: Desire to collect and preserve resources.

   • High: Frugal, cautious, hoarder.

   • Low: Generous, carefree, spendthrift.

7. Honor: Desire to stay loyal to principles and values.

   • High: Ethical, dutiful, trustworthy.

   • Low: Pragmatic, flexible, opportunistic.

8. Idealism: Desire for fairness and altruism.

   • High: Compassionate, optimistic, socially conscious.

   • Low: Cynical, selfish, pragmatic.

9. Social Contact: Desire for companionship and interaction.

   • High: Extroverted, sociable, friendly.

   • Low: Introverted, private, solitary.

10. Family: Desire for nurturing and connection with loved ones.

    • High: Devoted parent, values familial bonds.

    • Low: Independent, career-focused, detached from family ties.

11. Status: Desire for recognition and respect.

    • High: Status-conscious, competitive, image-driven.

    • Low: Humble, indifferent to social standing.

12. Vengeance: Desire for justice and retribution.

    • High: Vindictive, aggressive, grudge-holding.

    • Low: Forgiving, tolerant, conflict-averse.

13. Romance: Desire for intimacy and passion.

    • High: Romantic, affectionate, emotionally expressive.

    • Low: Pragmatic, reserved, indifferent to romance.

14. Eating: Desire for indulgence in food.

    • High: Food-lover, indulgent, pleasure-seeking.

    • Low: Disciplined, minimalistic, sees food as fuel.

15. Physical Activity: Desire for exercise and movement.

    • High: Active, energetic, loves physical challenges.

    • Low: Sedentary, laid-back, avoids exertion.

16. Tranquility: Desire for peace and emotional stability.

    • High: Risk-averse, seeks calm, avoids stress.

    • Low: Thrill-seeking, emotionally tough, embraces challenges.

How the 3rd Layer Influences the Other Layers

1. Driving the 2nd Layer (Sociological Context)

The psychological desires act as a foundation that influences how characters interact with their environment. While the sociological layer (2nd) modulates how desires are expressed, the core desires themselves remain consistent.

• Example: A character with a high desire for curiosity might actively seek out education and exploration, whether they were raised in an academic family or a restrictive environment. In a restrictive context, they might rebel and seek knowledge covertly.

2. Shaping the 1st Layer (Exterior)

The 3rd layer directly informs the external traits and habits visible in the 1st layer. Characters behave and present themselves in ways that align with their core desires.

• Example: A character with a high desire for status might wear designer clothes and carry themselves with confidence, while a character with a low desire for status might dress casually and avoid drawing attention.

Practical Tips for Writers

1. Identify Your Character’s Key Desires

• Go through the 16 Basic Desires and decide which ones are most intense for your character. Rank them as high, average, or low.

• Ask: What does this character truly want? What motivates their actions?

2. Use Desires to Create Internal Conflict

• Characters often have competing desires that create tension.

  • Example: A high desire for family might clash with a high desire for independence, leading to guilt over neglecting loved ones for personal freedom.

3. Show Desires Through Actions

• Let readers see your character’s core desires in what they do, not just what they say.

  • Example: A character with a high desire for saving might hoard money, while someone with a low desire might impulsively spend it on others.

4. Tie Desires to the Character Arc

• A character’s growth often involves their core desires being fulfilled, frustrated, or changed.

  • Example: A character with a high desire for vengeance might learn forgiveness, transforming their worldview.

Examples of the 3rd Layer in Action

1. Example 1: The Reluctant Hero

• Key Desires: High desire for tranquility, low desire for power.

• Behavior: Avoids leadership roles and seeks a quiet life, but circumstances force them into action.

• Conflict: Their reluctance to take charge clashes with external pressures, driving their arc of personal growth.

2. Example 2: The Ambitious Politician

• Key Desires: High desire for power and status, low desire for tranquility.

• Behavior: Strategically builds alliances, takes bold risks, and thrives on the adrenaline of high-stakes decisions.

• Conflict: Their relentless pursuit of power leads to strained relationships and potential moral compromise.

Conclusion

The 3rd Layer of Character is where their heart lies. By understanding what your characters want most deeply, you can create motivations that feel authentic and compelling. Combined with the sociological and exterior layers, this psychological core ensures your characters act, think, and grow in ways that resonate with readers.

In the next article, we’ll explore how all three layers interact dynamically to create complex, believable characters. Stay tuned!