Have you ever wanted to view yourself through someone else’s eyes? Unique characteristics, traits, and strengths — the knowledge might help you live life to the fullest.
According to positive psychology, everything can be studied through 24 character strengths.
Let’s take a closer look at character strengths, what they are, why they matter, and how you can assess them:
What Exactly Are Character Strengths?
In 1998, the President of the American Psychological Association, Martin Seligman, laid the foundation of positive psychology as a formal field of study. A scientific study of human well-being, positive psychology shifts focus from what is wrong with people to what is right. It is all about cultivating strengths, positive emotions, and building meaningful relationships.
At the core of positive psychology are character strengths. Think of it like a universal language that describes us all. Character strengths are fundamental to our identity and help define our reactions to everyday events.
When you navigate tough decisions at work, offer gratitude to your friends, or show affection to your better half, you’re displaying character strengths. In each setting, they help you face discomfort, navigate challenges, and become the best version of yourself.
But what is the point of knowing our character strengths? Understanding our character strengths can help bring authenticity, enthusiasm, and zest to our actions, leading to a more fulfilling life.
Classification of Character Strengths
Martin Seligman and Christopher Peterson believed that every individual possesses all 24 character strengths. The degree of presence, however, varies.
The 24 character strengths are grouped under six virtues:
Wisdom
Those who score high in the area of wisdom are drawn towards acquiring knowledge and using it in creative and useful ways. The core wisdom character strengths are:
- Creativity
- Curiosity
- Judgement
- Love of learning
- Perspective
Courage
High scorers in the area of courage embody the drive or will to take on new challenges. They wish to accomplish goals and have the spirit to sustain life with resilience. Core courage strengths are:
- Bravery
- Zest
- Perseverance
- Honesty
Transcendence
People with high scores in transcendence tend to build connections with God, the universe, or their religion. Key strengths include:
- Gratitude
- Appreciation of beauty and excellence
- Hope
- Humor
- Spirituality
Justice
People with high scores in the domain of justice possess a high civic sense. They wish to build connected, sustainable human communities. Key strengths include:
- Fairness
- Leadership
- Teamwork
Humanity
These people tend to be caring in relationships. They possess a range of interpersonal character strengths, such as:
- Love
- Kindness
- Social intelligence
Temperance
People with high scores in temperance protect themselves from hatred and excess. They argue against short-term pleasures and arrogance. Key strengths include:
- Forgiveness
- Modesty
- Prudence
- Self-regulation
Character Strengths in the Life Domains
Character strengths can be used to foster well-being and authenticity across all life domains. They act as a tool for growth and resilience.
In personal life, character strengths like kindness and courage can boost happiness levels. Moreover, they help people deepen connections with friends and family.
In professional life, character virtues, such as wisdom and courage, come in most handy. Strengths like judgment, honesty, and leadership can help you thrive in high-pressure situations and bounce back from challenges.
In the workplace context, character strengths were found to be relevant predictors of job performance, predicting performance above what would be accounted for by general mental ability, big five personality traits, or these areas combined (Harzer, Bezugloba, & Weber, 2021).
For example, perseverance, teamwork, and leadership were important correlates of job performance (Harzer and Ruch, 2014; Littman-Ovadia and Lavy, 2016; Harzer et al., 2017).
How Can You Assess Character Strengths
Now that you know what character strengths are and how to apply them to life domains, the question arises: How can I find my most dominant strengths?
Here are three ways:
Focus on the 3E’s
According to Niemiec & McGrath (2019), focusing on the 3E’s can help you identify your character strengths. This includes:
Essential – Does the strength define your core identity or make you who you are? Is it an essential part of your personality?
Effortless – Does the strength come naturally to you? Does it flow effortlessly for you?
Energizing – After using the given strength, do you feel energized and uplifted?
The answers to these questions will help you find dominant strengths.
VIA Assessment and Comprehensive Report
The easiest way to identify your dominant character strengths is to take the free VIA Character Strengths Survey. It takes 10 to 15 minutes to complete and provides a complete breakdown of your 24 character strengths. You can also buy the VIA Total 24 Report to understand what each strength says about your personality. It is your one-and-done guide to positive psychology and applying it to life.
Looking Forward
Understanding your character strengths is the first step to achieving well-being and fostering resilience. It can improve your outlook and dealings in all walks of life, be it personal, academic, or professional.
