Week 7: Character Strengths
Strengths are:
Positive individual differences
What you do best and most easily
Thoughts, feelings, and actions that allow 'optimal functioning
Enjoyable and energizing
Traditional psychology: repair, healing, weaknesses, illness
Positive psychology: thriving, flourishing, strengths, well-being
Martin Seligman: It is my belief that no medication or technique of therapy holds as much promise
for serving as a buffer against mental illness as does human strength.
--> member of board of American Psychological Association: when a topic becomes central, there will
be more funding available for research
What are strengths
Character strengths --> what's right with you?
Key language
o Are universally valued
o Exist within each of us
o Are stagble and dynamic
o Can be developed
o Can be overused, misused and underused
Ryan M. Niemiec: "Character strengths are the basic building blocks of goodness that are at the core
of who we are."
"Strengths are virtues are the core characteristics valued by moral philosophers and (religious)
thinkers.
Character strengths are specfic psychological processes or mechanisms that define the virtues (a
good character)." - Peterson and Seligman (2004)
The virtues together define having a good character.
Six virtues
1. Courage: permits one to face extreme dangers and difficulties without fear
2. Temperance: buffer against excesses, voluntary self-restraint
3. Wisdom: the acquisition and use of knowledge
4. Transcendence: connect us to that which is outside of ourselves, "going beyond"
5. Humanity: connect us to other people. Latin humanitas for "human nature, kindness"
6. Justice: build a healthy and stable community: "The right ordering of society"
, Based on the virtues, Seligman and colleagues identified 24 character strengths.
So, when people have a virtue of wisdom and knowledge, they are usually openminded, creative and
curious.
A colleague of Seligman, Niemiec, warned about a proper use of strengths. They should be effectively
used, but not underused or overused. There is a sweet spot and when strengths are used in an
optimal way, but underuse or overuse could be harmful.
Underuse term Character Strength Overuse term
Boredom Curiosity Nosiness
Cowardness/unwilling to act Bravery Arrogant, overbearing, risk-
taking, foolish
Lazy, giving up Perseverance Stubborn, fixated, trouble to
let go
Arrogant, egotistic Modesty Self-depreciation, limited self-
image
Passive, tired Zest Overactive annoying
Conforming, unimaginative, Creativity Nosy, intrusive, self-serving,
dull eccentric
Strengths are:
Positive individual differences
What you do best and most easily
Thoughts, feelings, and actions that allow 'optimal functioning
Enjoyable and energizing
Traditional psychology: repair, healing, weaknesses, illness
Positive psychology: thriving, flourishing, strengths, well-being
Martin Seligman: It is my belief that no medication or technique of therapy holds as much promise
for serving as a buffer against mental illness as does human strength.
--> member of board of American Psychological Association: when a topic becomes central, there will
be more funding available for research
What are strengths
Character strengths --> what's right with you?
Key language
o Are universally valued
o Exist within each of us
o Are stagble and dynamic
o Can be developed
o Can be overused, misused and underused
Ryan M. Niemiec: "Character strengths are the basic building blocks of goodness that are at the core
of who we are."
"Strengths are virtues are the core characteristics valued by moral philosophers and (religious)
thinkers.
Character strengths are specfic psychological processes or mechanisms that define the virtues (a
good character)." - Peterson and Seligman (2004)
The virtues together define having a good character.
Six virtues
1. Courage: permits one to face extreme dangers and difficulties without fear
2. Temperance: buffer against excesses, voluntary self-restraint
3. Wisdom: the acquisition and use of knowledge
4. Transcendence: connect us to that which is outside of ourselves, "going beyond"
5. Humanity: connect us to other people. Latin humanitas for "human nature, kindness"
6. Justice: build a healthy and stable community: "The right ordering of society"
, Based on the virtues, Seligman and colleagues identified 24 character strengths.
So, when people have a virtue of wisdom and knowledge, they are usually openminded, creative and
curious.
A colleague of Seligman, Niemiec, warned about a proper use of strengths. They should be effectively
used, but not underused or overused. There is a sweet spot and when strengths are used in an
optimal way, but underuse or overuse could be harmful.
Underuse term Character Strength Overuse term
Boredom Curiosity Nosiness
Cowardness/unwilling to act Bravery Arrogant, overbearing, risk-
taking, foolish
Lazy, giving up Perseverance Stubborn, fixated, trouble to
let go
Arrogant, egotistic Modesty Self-depreciation, limited self-
image
Passive, tired Zest Overactive annoying
Conforming, unimaginative, Creativity Nosy, intrusive, self-serving,
dull eccentric
