The list of virtues and character strengths was developed through research conducted by positive psychologists Christopher Peterson and Martin Seligman as part of their work on Positive Psychology.
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They sought to identify the universal human virtues and the character strengths that underpin them. Their work resulted in the Classification of Strengths and Virtues, a framework that organizes 24 character strengths under 6 broad virtues.
The following ten criteria were used to identify and arrive at these virtues and character strengths:
1. Does the Strength Have a Meaning Across Cultures?
- Description: The strength must be recognized in various cultures or traditions. This cross-cultural validity suggests that the trait is universally valued and not specific to one group.
- Example: Virtues such as courage or justice are valued across different societies, indicating their universal importance.
2. Does the Strength Contribute to Individual or Collective Well-Being?
- Description: The strength must contribute positively to the well-being of the individual or the community. This criterion ensures that the trait has a positive impact on life satisfaction and societal harmony.
- Example: Kindness and fairness contribute to creating harmonious and supportive relationships, which are beneficial to both individuals and communities.
3. Does the Strength Involve a Cognitive or Emotional Component?
- Description: The strength should involve an aspect of thought (cognitive) or feeling (emotional) that can influence behaviors and attitudes in a meaningful way.
- Example: Wisdom involves both cognition (insight, understanding) and emotional regulation (empathy, perspective-taking).
4. Does the Strength Reflect a Trait or Enduring Quality?
- Description: The strength should reflect a stable and enduring trait or quality of the individual, rather than a transient or situational behavior. This criterion ensures that character strengths are stable over time.
- Example: Honesty is a stable trait that consistently influences a person’s actions, as opposed to occasional truth-telling in a specific situation.
5. Can the Strength Be Developed or Cultivated?
- Description: The strength should be something that can be nurtured and developed over time through effort, practice, and learning. It should not be an innate quality that is fixed.
- Example: Gratitude can be cultivated through mindfulness practices and expressing thanks, making it something individuals can actively work on improving.
6. Does the Strength Have a Positive Impact on Others?
- Description: The strength should not only benefit the individual but should also have a positive impact on others. It should encourage behaviors that contribute to social cooperation and mutual respect.
- Example: Social intelligence helps individuals navigate social situations, improving relationships and fostering collaboration.
7. Does the Strength Facilitate Adaptive Behavior?
- Description: The strength should help the individual to adapt effectively to life’s challenges, enhancing personal development and coping skills.
- Example: Self-regulation helps an individual manage their emotions and behaviors, improving adaptability in various situations.
8. Is the Strength Associated with Positive Outcomes?
- Description: The strength should be associated with positive outcomes, such as improved health, happiness, and success. This ensures that cultivating the strength leads to desirable results.
- Example: Hope is associated with better mental health outcomes and increased motivation to pursue goals.
9. Does the Strength Involve Both Personal and Social Dimensions?
- Description: The strength should have relevance to both personal development and social functioning, as it should enhance an individual’s ability to relate to others and improve social cohesion.
- Example: Fairness involves both a personal sense of justice and the ability to apply this principle in interactions with others.
10. Does the Strength Reflect a Positive Contribution to Society?
- Description: The strength should help individuals contribute positively to the broader community or society. It should encourage behaviors that improve societal well-being.
- Example: Citizenship (or social responsibility) is a strength that fosters active engagement in societal improvement, contributing to collective well-being.
Conclusion
These criteria were designed to ensure that the identified virtues and character strengths were not only universally applicable and enduring but also practically beneficial for both individual growth and societal betterment. The 24 character strengths identified across six broad virtues (wisdom, courage, humanity, justice, temperance, and transcendence) form the foundation of a positive psychology framework, encouraging individuals to nurture these strengths for personal development and a positive contribution to the world.