characterization
noun
char·ac·ter·i·za·tion
| \ ˌker-ik-t(ə-)rə-ˈzā-shən
, ˌka-rik-\
, ˌka-rik-\
Definition of characterization
: the act of characterizing
especially
: the artistic representation (as in fiction or drama) of human character or motives
the author's characterization of the boy as someone who wanted to be accepted by others