Classifying and Measuring Strengths of Character

2009 ◽  
pp. 24-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Peterson ◽  
Nansook Park
Keyword(s):  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Character Strengths ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Worth Living ◽  
Actual Behavior ◽  
Present Contribution ◽  
Life Worth Living ◽  
Development Interventions ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Via Classification

What is the good of a person? Answers to this question lie at the heart of traditional moral philosophy as well as contemporary positive psychology. For the past few years, we have been involved in a project describing important strengths of character and ways to measure them. Our research program is sometimes identified as the Values in Action (VIA) project. The VIA classification includes two dozen strengths of character on which our research has focused. Various VIA measures comprise a family of assessment devices that measure individual differences in the strengths in the classification. The present contribution describes the process by which the VIA classification was created, the ways character strengths are measured, and empirical findings: distribution and demographics; correlates and consequences; origins and development; deliberate cultivation; interventions; and structure and trade-offs. Work is ongoing to refine our measures and to use empirical findings to generate theory. Especially important lines of future research include the relationship of character strengths to hard outcome measures, cultural differences and similarities, development, interventions, and the processes by which strengths of character give rise to actual behavior. Our project supports the premise of positive psychology that attention to good character sheds light on what makes life worth living.

Classifying and Measuring Strengths of Character

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nansook Park
Keyword(s):  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Character Strengths ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Worth Living ◽  
Actual Behavior ◽  
Life Worth Living ◽  
Development Interventions ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Via Classification ◽  
Relationship Of

What is the good of a person? Answers to this question lie at the heart of moral philosophy and positive psychology. Our Values in Action (VIA) project describes important strengths of character and ways to measure them. The VIA classification includes 24 strengths of character. VIA measures are assessment devices that measure individual differences in the strengths in the classification. This article describes how the VIA classification was created, the ways character strengths are measured, and major empirical findings: distribution and demographics, correlates and consequences, origins and development, deliberate cultivation, interventions, and structure and trade-offs. Future research should include the relationship of character strengths to hard outcome measures, cultural differences and similarities, development, interventions, and the processes by which strengths of character give rise to actual behavior. This project supports the premise of positive psychology that attention to good character sheds light on what makes life worth living.

The Application of the VIA Classification of Strengths to Youth With and Without Disabilities

Inclusion ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 213-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karrie A. Shogren ◽  
Michael L. Wehmeyer ◽  
Kyle Lang ◽  
Ryan M. Niemiec ◽  
Hyojeong Seo
Keyword(s):  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Secondary Students ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Character Strengths ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Youth With Disabilities ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Via Classification

Abstract Considering strengths when planning for postschool outcomes is critically important for all youth, including youth with disabilities, as strengths should guide the identification of meaningful postschool goals. However, there are a limited number of strengths-based assessment tools that have been validated with youth with disabilities. This article reports the results of a pilot study of the application of the short form of the VIA Inventory of Strengths for Youth (VIA—Youth) to secondary students with and without disability labels. Although the VIA-Youth has been studied in youth without disabilities, it has not been applied to youth with disabilities. Similarities in the reliability of the scores were found across youth with and without disabilities. However, students with disabilities tended to score lower on character strengths than students without disabilities. We were unable to replicate, using confirmatory factor analysis, the theoretical structure used to develop the VIA-Youth, although youth with and without disabilities did demonstrate measurement invariance when fitting a one-factor model. Further work is needed to merge theoretical and empirical models for the factor structure of the VIA-Youth. Implications for future research and practice related to strengths-based assessment and intervention are discussed.

scholarly journals Strength-based interventions

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 118-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
René T Proyer ◽  
Fabian Gander ◽  
Nancy Tandler
Keyword(s):  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Character Strengths ◽  
Review Literature ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Gifted Children ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Positive Psychology Interventions ◽  
Strength Based ◽  
Future Research Directions

Positive psychology has revived psychology’s abandoned interest in the study of morally positively valued traits (the so-called character strengths) and virtues. We review literature generated on strength-based approaches and focus on applications in the so-called positive psychology interventions. There seems to be great potential in this approach for research in the field of giftedness and, of course, also when practically working with gifted children and adolescents. We highlight some ideas for future research directions.

Promoting Students’ Positive Emotions, Character, and Purpose

2020 ◽  
pp. 282-312
Author(s):  
Shannon M. Suldo ◽  
Jenni Menon Mariano ◽  
Hannah Gilfix
Keyword(s):  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Emotional State ◽  
Character Strengths ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Positive Psychology Interventions ◽  
School Based ◽  
Measurement Tools ◽  
Via Classification

Grounded in positive psychology, this chapter focuses on constructs that increase well-being and may result in a flourishing emotional state. Within the PERMA framework, flourishing is reflected in positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment. Specifically, this chapter takes an in-depth look into the constructs of positive emotions, character, and purpose. Information on measurement tools, correlates, and possible interventions for each of the three constructs is provided. An emphasis is also placed on promising positive psychology interventions, many of which utilize strategies involving character strengths as defined in accordance with the Values in Action (VIA) Classification of Character Strengths and Virtues. The chapter concludes with information on how a reader can implement various positive psychology activities, as well as different school based-programs that incorporate purpose and positive psychology interventions.

scholarly journals The Conceptualization, Measurement, and Role of Humor as a Character Strength in Positive Psychology

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 505-519 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim R. Edwards ◽  
Rod A. Martin
Keyword(s):  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Classification System ◽  
Character Strengths ◽  
The Other ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Humor Styles ◽  
Prediction Of Outcome ◽  
Human Flourishing ◽  
Character Strength

In positive psychology, humor has been identified as one of 24 character strengths considered ubiquitously important for human flourishing. Unlike the other strengths, humor was a late addition to this classification system and its status as a strength continues to be somewhat controversial. Therefore, the first purpose of this study was to explore the associations between humor and several outcome variables of relevance to positive psychology (happiness, routes to happiness, resilience, and morality). The second purpose was to explore how best to conceptualize and measure humor as a character strength by comparing the Values in Action Inventory of Strengths (VIA-IS) Humor Scale with the Humor Styles Questionnaire (HSQ) in their ability to predict the outcome variables. A sample of 176 participants completed questionnaires assessing the humor and positive psychology constructs. The results indicated that the humor measures significantly predicted most of the outcome variables, supporting the importance of humor in positive psychology. Furthermore, although the VIA-IS Humor scale and positive humor styles on the HSQ showed considerable overlap, the negative humor styles added significantly to the prediction of outcome variables beyond these positive humor measures, supporting the importance of assessing maladaptive as well as adaptive uses of humor in research on positive psychology. These findings suggest that the HSQ may be a more useful measure than the VIA-IS Humor scale in future research in this field.

scholarly journals A balanced psychology and a full life

2004 ◽  
Vol 359 (1449) ◽  
pp. 1379-1381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin E. P. Seligman ◽  
Acacia C. Parks ◽  
Tracy Steen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
World War Ii ◽  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Positive Emotion ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Worth Living ◽  
World War ◽  
Life Worth Living

Psychology since World War II has been largely devoted to repairing weakness and understanding suffering. Towards that end, we have made considerable gains. We have a classification of mental illness that allows international collaboration, and through this collaboration we have developed effective psychotherapeutic or pharmacological treatments for 14 major mental disorders. However, while building a strong science and practice of treating mental illness, we largely forgot about everyday well–being. Is the absence of mental illness and suffering sufficient to let individuals and communities flourish? Were all disabling conditions to disappear, what would make life worth living? Those committed to a science of positive psychology can draw on the effective research methods developed to understand and treat mental illness. Results from a new randomized, placebo–controlled study demonstrate that people are happier and less depressed three months after completing exercises targeting positive emotion. The ultimate goal of positive psychology is to make people happier by understanding and building positive emotion, gratification and meaning. Towards this end, we must supplement what we know about treating illness and repairing damage with knowledge about nurturing well–being in individuals and communities.

scholarly journals Primal world beliefs correlate strongly but differentially with character strengths

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Stahlmann ◽  
Willibald Ruch
Keyword(s):  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Character Strengths ◽  
Personality Development ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Safe Place ◽  
Place Theory ◽  
Personality Differences ◽  
The World ◽  
German Speaking

Primal world beliefs–primals–are a category of beliefs about the overall character of the world (e.g., the world is a safe place). Theory suggests that such beliefs drive personality development–or at least reflect personality differences, such as character strengths. We examined the relationships of primals with character strengths among 1122 German-speaking adults. The primary primal good explained the most variance in the majority of character strengths, especially hope, spirituality, zest, gratitude, curiosity, and leadership. Including specific secondary (e.g., safe, enticing, alive) and tertiary primals (e.g., beautiful, needs me, funny) often yielded better predictions, but, with few exceptions, increments were typically smaller than that of the primary primal. We recommend including these primals in positive psychology interventions and describe three couplings of primals and character strengths that may prove especially fruitful for future research and practice.

scholarly journals Positive Psychology, Indian Psychology and Spirituality

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 12-26
Author(s):  
PRIYANKA SHUKLA
Keyword(s):  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Body ◽  
Spiritual Practices ◽  
Worth Living ◽  
Life Worth Living ◽  
Indian Psychology ◽  
The Rich ◽  
Yoga Meditation

Positive psychology is a relatively new field that examines how ordinary people can become happier and more fulfilled. Positive psychology is a science of positive aspects of human life, such as happiness, well-being and flourishing. Indian psychology is an approach to psychology based on the Indian ethos. Indian Psychology is essentially positive and rooted in the consciousness-based Indian worldview, yoga and a life-affirming spirituality. Human life is a journey of the soul which resides in the human body. Indian psychology highlights the pathway to make this journey easy and the ultimate goal of liberation of the soul (moksha) achievable through yoga, meditation and prayer. Humans are made of the body, mind, intellect, ego and soul and only soul can help to attain ultimate happiness and bliss through spirituality. The present paper is an attempt to explain that both positive psychology and Indian psychology focus on human happiness and their unique strength; and discusses how goals of positive psychology can be achieved through the rich Indian spiritual heritage. Indian psychology and spirituality share a framework that human has enormous potential hidden in its being. Indian scriptures (Vedas, Upanishads, Yoga, Bhagavad Gita) and spiritual practices (Yoga, meditation and prayer) help to discipline the mind to achieve balance, (samyavastha) to overcome the hindrance in the pursuit of happiness and to improve the qualities of different roles we play in our lives. In this way the Indian spiritual practices have important implications for the achievement of goals of Positive Psychology i.e. wisdom and knowledge, courage, humanity, justice and transcendence and makes life worth living.

scholarly journals Positive Psychology and Hope as Means to Recovery from Mental Illness

2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 34-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinhee Park ◽  
Roy K. Chen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Personal Growth ◽  
Psychiatric Rehabilitation ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Recovery Process ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Worth Living ◽  
Life Worth Living ◽  
Rehabilitation Outcomes

The field of psychiatric rehabilitation has seen a paradigm shift in its perceptions of symptom reduction, recovery, and restoration of personal-growth and -development. Recovery is subjective in nature, as no two individuals achieve identical rehabilitation outcomes; the process is dynamic and influenced by an array of personal and environmental factors, all of which can facilitate a deeply personal, unique progression that changes one's attitudes, values, feelings, goals, skills, and roles. The concept of positive psychology is relevant to the perception from mental illness. Positive psychology seeks to understand what makes life worth living and encourages the use of mental strengths that reside in every human to confront challenges and create meaningful life experiences. Among the constructs of positive psychology, hope is one the most important concerning recovery, as it is directly tied to whether one believes that one's recovery is feasible. Having a sense of hope can enhance one's motivation to engage in the recovery process. The application of positive psychology, especially the concept of hope and recovery-oriented interventions in real-life rehabilitation settings can enormously benefit the well-being of people with mental illness.

Stopping the “Madness”: Positive Psychology and Deconstructing the Illness Ideology and the DSM

2009 ◽  
pp. 60-70
Author(s):  
James E. Maddux
Keyword(s):  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Clinical Psychology ◽  
Interpersonal Skills ◽  
Personal Responsibility ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Worth Living ◽  
Life Worth Living ◽  
Statistical Manual ◽  
Diagnostic And Statistical Manual ◽  
The Social

This chapter describes the traditional view of clinical psychology as a discipline and profession that is steeped in an “illness ideology.” This illness ideology has roots in clinical psychology's early connections with psychiatry and medicine and limits clinical psychology to the study of what is worst and weakest about people rather than what is best and bravest about people. The historical, cultural, and professional causes of this ideology are discussed, with an emphasis on the social construction and deconstruction of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as the manifestation of the illness ideology that has the greatest detrimental influence on clinical psychology. The chapter also proposes that the illness ideology be replaced with a positive psychology ideology that emphasizes well-being, satisfaction, happiness, interpersonal skills, perseverance, talent, wisdom, personal responsibility, and what makes life worth living.

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