Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Psychological conflict is synonymous with internal conflict. It describes the mental or emotional struggle that characters experience within themselves.
External conflict refers to conflicts that occur between a character and an outside force, such as another character or nature.
Motivation: Motivation refers to the reasons behind a character's actions or behaviors. Psychological conflicts often influence a character's motivations.