Table 1.
The 24 character strengths included in the Values in Action classification of strengths (Peterson and Seligman, 2004) and short descriptions defining the strengths.
| 1. Cognitive strengths that entail the acquisition and use of knowledge |
|---|
|
Creativity [originality, ingenuity]: thinking of novel and productive ways to conceptualize and do things; includes but is not limited to artistic achievement Curiosity [interest, novelty-seeking, openness to experience]: taking an interest in all of ongoing experience for its own sake; finding subjects and topics fascinating; exploring and discovering Judgment [open-mindedness, critical thinking]: thinking things through and examining them from all sides; not jumping to conclusions; being able to change one's mind in light of evidence; weighing all evidence fairly Love of learning: mastering new skills, topics, and bodies of knowledge, whether on one's own or through formal instruction; related to curiosity but goes beyond it to describe the tendency to systematically add to what one knows Perspective [wisdom]: being able to provide wise counsel to others; having ways of looking at the world that make sense to oneself and to others |
| 2. Emotional strengths that involve the exercise of will to accomplish goals in the face of opposition, external or internal |
|
Bravery [valor]: not shrinking from threat, challenges, difficulty, or pain; speaking up for what is right even in the face of opposition; acting on one's convictions even if unpopular; includes but is not limited to physical bravery Perseverance [persistence, industriousness]: finishing what one starts; persisting in a course of action in spite of obstacles; “getting it out the door”; taking pleasure in completing tasks Honesty [authenticity, integrity]: speaking the truth but also more broadly presenting oneself and acting in a genuine and sincere way; being without pretense; taking responsibility for one's feelings and actions Zest [vitality, enthusiasm, vigor, energy]: approaching life with excitement and energy; not doing things halfway or halfheartedly; living life as an adventure; feeling alive and activated |
| 3. Interpersonal strengths that involve “tending and befriending” others |
|
Capacity to love and be loved [short name: love]: valuing close relations with others, in particular those in which sharing and caring are reciprocated; being close to people Kindness [generosity, nurturing, care, compassion, altruistic love, “niceness”]: doing favors and good deeds for others; helping them; taking care of them Social intelligence [emotional intelligence, personal intelligence]: being aware of the motives and feelings of other people and oneself; knowing what to do to fit into different social situations; knowing what makes other people tick |
| 4. Civic strengths that underlie healthy community life |
|
Teamwork [citizenship, social responsibility, loyalty]: working well as a member of a group or team; being loyal to the group; doing one's share Fairness: treating all people the same according to notions of fairness and justice; not letting personal feelings bias one's decisions about others; giving everyone a fair chance Leadership: encouraging a group of which one is a member to get things done and at the same time maintain good relations within the group; organizing group activities and seeing that they happen |
| 5. Strengths that protect against excess |
|
Forgiveness [mercy]: forgiving those who have done wrong; accepting the shortcomings of others; giving people a second chance; not being vengeful Modesty [humility]: letting one's accomplishments speak for themselves; not regarding oneself as more special than one is Prudence: being careful about one's choices; not taking undue risks; not saying or doing things that one might later regret Self-regulation [self-control]: regulating what one feels and does; being disciplined; controlling one's appetites and emotions |
| 6. Transcendental strengths that forge connections to the larger universe and provide meaning |
|
Appreciation of beauty and excellence [awe, wonder, elevation; short name: appreciation]: noticing and appreciating beauty, excellence, and/or skilled performance in various domains of life, from nature to art to mathematics to science to everyday experience Gratitude: being aware of and thankful for the good things that happen; taking time to express thanks Hope [optimism, future-mindedness, future orientation]: expecting the best in the future and working to achieve it; believing that a good future is something that can be brought about Humor [playfulness]: liking to laugh and tease; bringing smiles to other people; seeing the light side of life; making (not necessarily telling) jokes Spirituality [religiousness, faith, purpose]: having coherent beliefs about the higher purpose and meaning of the universe; knowing where one fits within the larger scheme of things; having beliefs about the meaning of life that shape one's conduct and provide comfort |
The character strengths are grouped together theoretically based on their content. The labels and expressions in brackets emphasize the family resemblance among the concepts to acknowledge the heterogeneity of strengths and minimize subtle (political or otherwise) connotations (Peterson and Seligman, 2004).