What are Character Strengths Good for? A Diary Study on Character Strengths Enactment.

While character strengths are expected to contribute to the “good life,” they also may serve specific purposes (e.g., the strength of curiosity should support the acquisition and use of knowledge). This study explored the potential functions of character strengths from a within-person perspective. We used a literature review and qualitative and quantitative surveys to determine potential functions. This resulted in 17 distinguishable functions (e.g., “feeling free and independent”). We used a diary study that included N = 196 participants (84.4% women, mean age: 25.68 years) who reported their daily character strength enactments and their experiences of the functions for 14 consecutive days. Our results suggested that the enactment of character strengths was positively related to several functions. However, the character strengths also showed distinguishable patterns of relationships with the functions, which were largely in line with—but not limited to—the functions suggested in the VIA classification.

Classification of Degenerate Verma Modules for E(5, 10)

Given a Lie superalgebra $${\mathfrak {g}}$$ g with a subalgebra $${\mathfrak {g}}_{\ge 0}$$ g ≥ 0 , and a finite-dimensional irreducible $${\mathfrak {g}}_{\ge 0}$$ g ≥ 0 -module F, the induced $${\mathfrak {g}}$$ g -module $$M(F)={\mathcal {U}}({\mathfrak {g}})\otimes _{{\mathcal {U}}({\mathfrak {g}}_{\ge 0})}F$$ M ( F ) = U ( g ) ⊗ U ( g ≥ 0 ) F is called a finite Verma module. In the present paper we classify the non-irreducible finite Verma modules over the largest exceptional linearly compact Lie superalgebra $${\mathfrak {g}}=E(5,10)$$ g = E ( 5 , 10 ) with the subalgebra $${\mathfrak {g}}_{\ge 0}$$ g ≥ 0 of minimal codimension. This is done via classification of all singular vectors in the modules M(F). Besides known singular vectors of degree 1,2,3,4 and 5, we discover two new singular vectors, of degrees 7 and 11. We show that the corresponding morphisms of finite Verma modules of degree 1,4,7, and 11 can be arranged in an infinite number of bilateral infinite complexes, which may be viewed as “exceptional” de Rham complexes for E(5, 10).

Relations between character strengths and subjective well-being in children and adolescents: A brief overview

This brief overview focuses on the relations between character strengths and subjective well-being in children and adolescents. The VIA classification of good character encompasses 24 character strengths, positive personality traits that contribute to a good life, which includes but is not limited to satisfaction, happiness, and success. Subjective well-being is a multi-dimensional construct that can be differentiated into positive and negative affect as well as global and domain-specific satisfaction. Cross-national results show that specific character strengths are positively related to positive affect, global life satisfaction, and domain-specific satisfaction. Furthermore, specific character strengths are negatively related to negative affect. Effect sizes are typically small to medium in magnitude. It is concluded that character strengths are clearly relevant correlates of young people’s subjective well-being. Because most - albeit not all - of the results are based on cross-sectional data, more longitudinal studies are needed to further validate these important findings. Nevertheless, the reported findings suggest that it could be very helpful for health-related and other youth-related professionals to be aware of a child or adolescent’s character strengths in order to better interpret their level of subjective well-being.

Using the VIA Classification to Advance a Psychological Science of Virtue

The VIA Classification of Character Strengths and Virtue has received substantial attention since its inception as a model of 24 dimensions of positive human functioning, but less so as a potential contributor to a psychological science on the nature of virtue. The current paper presents an overview of how this classification could serve to advance the science of virtue. Specifically, we summarize previous research on the dimensional versus categorical characterization of virtue, and on the identification of cardinal virtues. We give particular attention to the three-dimensional model of cardinal virtues that includes moral, self-regulatory, and intellectual domains. We also discuss the possibility that these three clusters be treated as fundamental elements of a virtue model, meaning that they clearly and directly contribute to both individual and communal flourishing across various cultures. This discussion includes a summary of previous speculations about the evolution of adaptations underlying the human capacity for using behavioral repertoires associated with the three virtues, as well as discussing ways in which they simultaneously enhance community and individual, in the last case focusing particularly on evidence concerning mating potential. We then discuss the relationship between the evolutionary perspective on virtues and Aristotle’s concept of the reciprocity of the virtues. Finally, we provide speculations about the nature of practical wisdom. While accepting the potential value of future revisions to the VIA model, that model even under its current conditions has the potential to generate a number of intriguing and testable hypotheses about the nature of virtue.

Predicting functional performance via classification of lower extremity strength in older adults with exergame-collected data

Objective The goal of this article is to present and to evaluate a sensor-based functional performance monitoring system. The system consists of an array of Wii Balance Boards (WBB) and an exergame that estimates whether the player can maintain physical independence, comparing the results with the 30 s Chair-Stand Test (30CST). Methods Sixteen participants recruited at a nursing home performed the 30CST and then played the exergame described here as often as desired during a period of 2 weeks. For each session, features related to walking and standing on the WBBs while playing the exergame were collected. Different classifier algorithms were used to predict the result of the 30CST on a binary basis as able or unable to maintain physical independence. Results By using a Logistic Model Tree, we achieved a maximum accuracy of 91% when estimating whether player’s 30CST scores were over or under a threshold of 12 points, our findings suggest that predicting age- and sex-adjusted cutoff scores is feasible. Conclusion An array of WBBs seems to be a viable solution to estimate lower extremity strength and thereby functional performance in a non-invasive and continuous manner. This study provides proof of concept supporting the use of exergames to identify and monitor elderly subjects at risk of losing physical independence.