Character Strengths and Virtues: A Classification. Character Strengths and Virtues is a groundbreaking handbook that was created built on reports from a prestigious group of researchers who have attempted to create a systematic classification and measurements of widely valued positive traits.
The aim was to present a measure of humanist ideals of virtue in an empirical and scientific way. This handbook intends to provide a theoretical framework that will help assist positive psychology practitioners in developing practical applications for the field. There are six classes of virtues that are made up of 24 character strengths: Wisdom and KnowledgeCourageHumanityJusticeTemperanceTranscendence Researchers approached the measurement of “good character” based on different kinds of strengths: authenticity, persistence, kindness, gratitude, hope, humor, and so on. More Strength Exercises? Become a Science-Based Practitioner! What Makes Us Strong and Virtuous? The main assessment instruments they used to measure those strengths were: Gratitude.
The 24 Personal Strengths: An Overview. The 24 personal strengths listed here are the character traits that express our core values.
When we use and develop them in the various areas of our lives, we feel energized, purposeful, and real. The strengths are organized according to the six core virtues that appear in the major religious and philosophical traditions across the centuries. To live in alignment with them, these belief systems agree, is truly to live the Good Life. To learn how to identify your key strengths, see: What’s Right With You: Discover Your Personal Strengths. Wisdom and Knowledge Curiosity/Interest in the World: You are curious about everything. Courage Valor and Bravery: You are a courageous person who does not shrink from threat, challenge, difficulty, or pain. Humanity and Love Kindness and Generosity: You are kind and generous to others, and you are never too busy to do a favor. Justice Citizenship/Duty/Teamwork/Loyalty: You excel as a member of a group. Temperance Transcendence. Men and Women: Are We Really That Different? As I continue to give workshops on character strengths, one of the most commonly asked questions is whether men and women score higher on different strengths.
Until recently, there hasn’t been much to say. But, we have some answers now that the largest research study on gender differences and character strengths was conducted and recently published. The study, conducted by researchers in Switzerland, examined well over 1 million people who had taken the VIA Survey of strengths across 65 published samples (groups of people) spanning 4 countries and multiple age groups (children, adolescents, adults). The results were interesting. Across the 24 character strengths, there was consistent, remarkable similarity between men and women.
These strengths are: Appreciation of beauty and excellence: You notice and appreciate beauty, excellence, and/or skilled performance in many domains of life. These are 4 important character strengths that can be appreciated in any person that expresses them. Women are Higher Than Men on These 4 Strengths. Source: DepositPhotos/VIA Institute Are men or women higher on gratitude, bravery, curiosity, and love?
Which character strengths are generally higher for men and which are higher for women? These are typical questions I’m asked at workshops I lead on character strengths (link is external). Until recently, there hasn’t been much to say. But, we have some answers now that the largest research study on gender differences and character strengths was conducted and recently published. The study, conducted by researchers in Switzerland, examined well over 1 million people who had taken the VIA Survey (link is external) of strengths across 65 published samples (groups of people) spanning 4 countries and multiple age groups (children, adolescents, adults). These strengths are: Appreciation of beauty and excellence (link is external): You notice and appreciate beauty, excellence, and/or skilled performance in many domains of life. Caveat. Virtues. Cultivating Character Strengths in Kids.