Character Strengths & Happiness
Character strengths play a pivotal role in shaping our personalities and enabling us to lead fulfilling lives. The concept of character strengths, also referred to as virtues or personal strengths, emerged from the field of positive psychology, which seeks to shift the focus from traditional psychology’s emphasis on disease and dysfunction to exploring the positive aspects of human experience.
Traditional psychology has long concentrated on understanding and treating mental illnesses, often neglecting the positive aspects of human nature. As a result, the vocabulary used to describe negative traits and conditions is far more developed than that used to describe positive human qualities. This imbalance has led to a tendency for people to recognize their weaknesses more readily than their strengths. To address this, positive psychologists have emphasized the importance of creating a vocabulary that describes the elements of a good life.
In 1963, Karl Menninger proposed developing a diagnostic system that would focus on the process of living rather than merely states or conditions. This idea laid the groundwork for the study of character strengths. However, it wasn’t until the turn of the century that significant progress was made in defining and measuring these strengths.
In 1999, Martin Seligman identified the need for a common language and measurement tools to describe ideal personality development. The following year, the establishment of the Values in Action (VIA) Institute marked the beginning of a systematic effort to classify and measure character strengths. Seligman and Christopher Peterson spearheaded the development of the VIA classification system.
Seligman and Peterson drew from a wide range of sources, including religious, philosophical, cultural, and social sciences, to identify character strengths that are universally valued, contribute to a sense of fulfillment, and possess moral value. These strengths needed to be measurable and distinct from one another. Importantly, each character strength has a negative counterpart, which highlights their moral significance and the encouragement they can provide when exemplified by role models.
The VIA classification system identifies 24 character strengths, organized into six core virtues:
Wisdom and Knowledge
Cognitive strengths that entail the acquisition and use of knowledge.
- Creativity: Thinking of new ways to do things.
- Curiosity: Taking an interest in a wide variety of topics.
- Open-mindedness: Examining things from all sides; thinking things through.
- Love of Learning: Mastering new topics, skills, and bodies of research.
- Perspective: Being able to provide wise counsel to others; looking at the world in a way that makes sense.
Courage
Emotional strengths that involve the exercise of will to accomplish goals in the face of opposition.
- Honesty: Speaking the truth and presenting oneself in a genuine way.
- Bravery: Embracing challenges, difficulties, or pain; not shrinking from threat.
- Persistence: Finishing things once they are started; persisting in a course of action despite obstacles.
- Zest: Approaching life with excitement and energy.
Humanity
Interpersonal strengths that involve tending and befriending others.
- Kindness: Doing favors and good deeds for others.
- Love: Valuing close relations with others, especially those in which sharing and caring are reciprocated.
- Social Intelligence: Being aware of the motives and feelings of oneself and others.
Justice
Civic strengths that underlie healthy community life.
- Fairness: Treating all people the same according to notions of fairness and justice.
- Leadership: Encouraging a group of which one is a member to get things done and at the same time maintain good relations within the group.
- Teamwork: Working well as a member of a group or team.
Temperance
Strengths that protect against excess.
- Forgiveness: Forgiving those who have done wrong.
- Humility: Letting one’s accomplishments speak for themselves.
- Prudence: Being careful about one’s choices; not taking undue risks.
- Self-Regulation: Regulating what one feels and does; being disciplined.
Transcendence
Strengths that forge connections to the larger universe and provide meaning.
- Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence: Noticing and appreciating beauty, excellence, and/or skilled performance in various domains of life.
- Gratitude: Being aware of and thankful for the good things that happen.
- Hope: Expecting the best in the future and working to achieve it.
- Humor: Liking to laugh and tease; bringing smiles to other people.
- Religiousness: Having coherent beliefs about the higher purpose and meaning of the universe.
The VIA classification system includes assessments for measuring these character strengths. Currently, there are separate questionnaires for adults and youth. Research has shown that these questionnaires effectively measure character strengths, displaying good reliability. The assessment results provide a profile of an individual’s strengths and highlight their top three character strengths.
Understanding and utilizing our character strengths can lead to greater happiness and well-being. By identifying and nurturing these strengths, we can enhance our personal development and improve our quality of life. Positive psychology and the VIA classification system provide valuable tools for this journey, helping us recognize the best in ourselves and others, and guiding us toward a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
Whatever
Character strengths are an essential aspect of our personality and play a significant role in achieving happiness and well-being. Positive psychology, through the VIA classification system, provides a framework for identifying and developing these strengths. By focusing on what is best in ourselves and others, we can lead more fulfilling lives and contribute to the well-being of those around us.
References
- Seligman, M. E. P., & Peterson, C. (2004). Character Strengths and Virtues: A Handbook and Classification. Oxford University Press.
- VIA Institute on Character. (n.d.). VIA Classification of Character Strengths. Retrieved from VIA Institute on Character website.
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