VIA Character Strengths
There are many ways to think about strengths and many words that can be used to describe the positive qualities we have. For the purposes of this course we will use the VIA character strengths. These are 24 strengths that have been chosen because they are different enough from each other. They are recognised across cultures, are morally valued and contribute to a sense of fulfillment. Each may be related to more than one characteristic or quality that we’ve looked at in the course so far. They are broken down into 6 virtues. These are then divided into a number of separate strengths, 24 in total. These are below.
- Wisdom: Creativity, love of learning, perspective and curiosity.
- Courage: Bravery, perseverance, zest and honesty.
- Humanity: Social intelligence, love and kindness.
- Justice: Fairness, teamwork and leadership.
- Temperance: Self-regulation, humility, prudence and forgiveness.
- Transcendence: Spirituality Gratitude Hope Humour Appreciation of beauty and excellence.
Positive psychology researchers are open to the fact that this classification is likely to change over time. They acknowledge that there are additional qualities that aren’t included and that there are other ways of thinking about and organising positive qualities and characteristics.
Noticing Strengths
Although we don’t often think about it, there are strengths hidden in the actions and reactions that we see on a day-to- day basis. Taking the time to explore noticing strengths in everyday actions is a helpful way to start to notice ourselves using our strengths. Equally by doing this we can see the strengths in others as well. This can help us to build positive relationships with others as we recognise positive qualities in them more often. This even extends to the strangers that you meet as you go about your day and sometimes sharing what you have noticed can be a way to ‘break the ice’.
Take a look at the activity below, it is about looking for strengths in everyday actions. There are 3 examples to get you started. Click + icon below to see the strengths that go with the statements.
Discover More:
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Summary
It can be helpful to think in detail about the strengths we notice in ourselves and others within everyday situations. This affects how we view the intentions of the people around us and how we think as well as how we feel about ourselves.
Once you have had a go at the scenarios above you might want to try the ‘Practicing Noticing Everyday Strengths’. Note down, over the following weeks, some actions or reactions that you see in yourself or the people around you which you notice represents a strength. You may like to print off and fill in the pdf below to do this.
Noticing Strengths in Everyday Actions Handout (266.18kB)
You might want to make notes at this point. These may help you remember things, work out what you want or see how much you’ve changed if you read them in a few years’ time.