PSY 180 Lecture 6 Character Strengths

Values in Action (VIA) Institute Started by Peterson and Seligman in 2000 Goal: to focus on good character in light of ongoing societal concerns with the topic –What does good character mean and how can it be measured?

History of the “character” research Allport said that character was more of a philosophical matter –He urged the study of objective entities stripped of moral significance and linked to adjustment Other psychologists disagreed –Dewey believed that psychological methods could inform discussions of character and value by philosophers

Character strengths The components of good character Independent of each other Concerned that this might get preachy –Remember that the underlying idea of positive psychology is that good and positivity is as real as disease and abnormal psychology Character strengths aren’t just a social construction Some are culturally specific –Punctuality is valued in cultures with wide access to time keeping devices Some are universal that should be addressed most

Surveyed world societies and religions Found core virtues –Wisdom –Courage –Humanity –Justice –Temperance –Transcendence Decided that they needed to be more specific than these six to really be able to measure things properly –ie. Humanity breaks down into kindness and love

How to find character strengths? Used –Psychiatry, youth development, character education, religion, philosophy, organizational studies, psychology Popular songs, greeting cards, bumper stickers, obituaries, testimonials, mottoes and credos, personal ads, art, tarot cards, pokemon character cards, harry potter books

Characteristics of a strength Ubiquitous –Widely recognized Fulfilling –Contributes to individual fulfillment, satisfaction, happiness Morally valued –Valued for itself, not for outcomes it may produce Does not diminish others –Produces admiration, not jealousy Has obvious “negative” opposites Is trait-like –Has individual differences, but some stability within an individual Measurable Is distinct from other strengths Has paragons and prodigies Can be absent Has enabling institutions

List of strengths AH slides

Wisdom and knowledge Related to the acquisition and use of information in the service of the good life

Courage The exercise of will to accomplish goals in the face of opposition, external or internal

Humanity Positive traits manifesting in caring relationships with others Dispositions to tend and befriend Focuses on one-to-one relationships

Justice Broadly social, relevant to the optimal interaction between the individual and the group or the community –Focuses on one-to-many relationships

Temperance Positive traits that protect us from excess –Like hatred, arrogance, short term pleasures with long term consequences, and destabilizing emotional extremes of all sorts –These protect from excess, but not from action Forgiving is good, but don’t be a pushover Modesty is good, but doesn’t require falsehood

Transcendence Allows individuals to forge connections to the larger universe and thereby provide meaning to their lives