Human Virtues and Character Strengths Assignment Paper

One of the most important initiatives in psychology of the past half century.” – Howard Gardner, Bestselling scientist/author on books relating to Multiple Intelligences, Harvard Graduate School of Education The groundbreaking book, Character Strengths and Virtues, championed by Christopher Peterson and Martin Seligman, describes the VIA Classification of character strengths and virtues.  The book outlines the results of a 3-year project led by Peterson and Seligman involving 55 distinguished social scientists. From Aristotle and Plato to the major world religions, to other great thinkers and philosophers spanning the last 2,500 years, this work represents the most significant effort in history to review, assemble, research, and classify positive strengths/traits in human beings. The result is a “common language” (scientifically speaking, a “consensual nomenclature”) for understanding and discussing these core capacities in human beings. Character Strengths and Virtues is regarded as the backbone of the science of positive psychology and remains one of the most substantive efforts generated by the field. In turn, it draws interest from a wide range of professions and disciplines – education, management, consulting, psychology, coaching, and many others. Character Strengths and Virtues is descriptive, not prescriptive. The emphasis is on classifying psychological ingredients of goodness in human beings across cultures, nations, and beliefs, rather than prescribing what humans “should” do to be good or improve themselves. Whereas the Periodic Table of Elements is a classification of elements on a microscopic level, the VIA Classification is a classification of positive traits in people. Strengths such as curiosity, kindness, bravery, perseverance, hope, gratitude, teamwork, humility, and fairness are part of this framework. Each of these 24 character strengths is thoroughly reviewed in terms of what is known. These areas include: •    Paragon in history exemplifying the strength •    Consensual definition, based on the research literature •    Theoretical traditions •    Assessment measures •    Correlates and consequences of the strength •    Development of the strength •    Enabling and inhibiting factors •    Cross-cultural aspects of the strength •    Deliberate interventions involving the strength •    Whether or not the strength meets each of 10 character strengths criteria – how, why, why not. •    What is not known about the strength •    Articles, books, and references for the strength The VIA Classification is not a taxonomy of strengths as taxonomies require an underlying deep theory explaining multiple relationships between constructs. Instead, it is a “classification,” a conceptual scheme that is holistic. The framework offers cognitive strengths (under the virtue of wisdom), emotional strengths (courage), social & community strengths (humanity & justice), protective strengths (temperance), and spiritual strengths (transcendence). The reference for the book is: Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Character strengths and virtues: A handbook and classification. New York: Oxford University Press and Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.   ABOUT Established as non-profit organization in 2001, the VIA Institute on Character is a global leader in the science and practice of character. We are proud to offer the VIA Survey, the only free, online, scientifically validated survey of character strengths. Contact Us RECENT BLOG POSTS Anyone Can Boost Happiness With This Simple Exercise How Strengths Helped Me On My Cancer Detour How To Build a Life with Meaning Heart and Character Strengths: When Love Is The Way Bravery – The Uncomfortable Strength CONTRIBUTE Join us in our quest to fill the world with greater virtue – more wisdom, courage, humanity, justice, temperance and transcendence. Share your strength with others through a tax deductible contribution to the VIA Institute. Donate Now NEWSLETTER Character Strength Tips, Strategies and Stories… Delivered Right to Your Email! © 2019 VIA Institute on Character · All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy · Terms of Service · Sitemap Webmaster Login We use our own and third-party cookies to improve your experience and our services. By continuing to use our website, you consent to the use of cookies. To view our cookies policy, please click here. Hide this notice One of the most important initiatives in psychology of the past half century.” – Howard Gardner, Bestselling scientist/author on books relating to Multiple Intelligences, Harvard Graduate School of Education The groundbreaking book, Character Strengths and Virtues, championed by Christopher Peterson and Martin Seligman, describes the VIA Classification of character strengths and virtues.  The book outlines the results of a 3-year project led by Peterson and Seligman involving 55 distinguished social scientists. From Aristotle and Plato to the major world religions, to other great thinkers and philosophers spanning the last 2,500 years, this work represents the most significant effort in history to review, assemble, research, and classify positive strengths/traits in human beings. The result is a “common language” (scientifically speaking, a “consensual nomenclature”) for understanding and discussing these core capacities in human beings. Character Strengths and Virtues is regarded as the backbone of the science of positive psychology and remains one of the most substantive efforts generated by the field. In turn, it draws interest from a wide range of professions and disciplines – education, management, consulting, psychology, coaching, and many others. Character Strengths and Virtues is descriptive, not prescriptive. The emphasis is on classifying psychological ingredients of goodness in human beings across cultures, nations, and beliefs, rather than prescribing what humans “should” do to be good or improve themselves. Whereas the Periodic Table of Elements is a classification of elements on a microscopic level, the VIA Classification is a classification of positive traits in people. Strengths such as curiosity, kindness, bravery, perseverance, hope, gratitude, teamwork, humility, and fairness are part of this framework. Each of these 24 character strengths is thoroughly reviewed in terms of what is known. These areas include: •    Paragon in history exemplifying the strength •    Consensual definition, based on the research literature •    Theoretical traditions •    Assessment measures •    Correlates and consequences of the strength •    Development of the strength •    Enabling and inhibiting factors •    Cross-cultural aspects of the strength •    Deliberate interventions involving the strength •    Whether or not the strength meets each of 10 character strengths criteria – how, why, why not. •    What is not known about the strength •    Articles, books, and references for the strength The VIA Classification is not a taxonomy of strengths as taxonomies require an underlying deep theory explaining multiple relationships between constructs. Instead, it is a “classification,” a conceptual scheme that is holistic. The framework offers cognitive strengths (under the virtue of wisdom), emotional strengths (courage), social & community strengths (humanity & justice), protective strengths (temperance), and spiritual strengths (transcendence). The reference for the book is: Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Character strengths and virtues: A handbook and classification. New York: Oxford University Press and Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.   ABOUT Established as non-profit organization in 2001, the VIA Institute on Character is a global leader in the science and practice of character. We are proud to offer the VIA Survey, the only free, online, scientifically validated survey of character strengths. Contact Us RECENT BLOG POSTS Anyone Can Boost Happiness With This Simple Exercise How Strengths Helped Me On My Cancer Detour How To Build a Life with Meaning Heart and Character Strengths: When Love Is The Way Bravery – The Uncomfortable Strength CONTRIBUTE Join us in our quest to fill the world with greater virtue – more wisdom, courage, humanity, justice, temperance and transcendence. Share your strength with others through a tax deductible contribution to the VIA Institute. Donate Now NEWSLETTER Character Strength Tips, Strategies and Stories… Delivered Right to Your Email! © 2019 VIA Institute on Character · All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy · Terms of Service · Sitemap Webmaster Login We use our own and third-party cookies to improve your experience and our services. By continuing to use our website, you consent to the use of cookies. To view our cookies policy, please click here. Hide this notice ShareThis Copy and Paste