The Values in Action (VIA) Classification is a widely respected framework in positive psychology for identifying and cultivating personal strengths. Developed by psychologists Martin Seligman and Christopher Peterson, the VIA Classification focuses on 24 character strengths categorized under six core virtues. Here’s an overview:
The Six Core Virtues and Their Strengths
- Wisdom and Knowledge
- Creativity: Thinking of novel and productive ways to do things.
- Curiosity: Taking an interest in ongoing experiences.
- Judgment: Thinking things through and examining them from all sides.
- Love of Learning: Mastering new skills, topics, and bodies of knowledge.
- Perspective: Being able to provide wise counsel to others.
- Courage
- Bravery: Not shrinking from threat, challenge, difficulty, or pain.
- Perseverance: Persisting in a course of action despite obstacles.
- Honesty: Being truthful and sincere.
- Zest: Approaching life with excitement and energy.
- Humanity
- Love: Valuing close relationships with others.
- Kindness: Doing favors and good deeds for others.
- Social Intelligence: Being aware of the motives and feelings of oneself and others.
- Justice
- Teamwork: Working well as a member of a group or team.
- Fairness: Treating all people the same according to notions of fairness and justice.
- Leadership: Encouraging a group to get things done and at the same time maintain good relations within the group.
- Temperance
- Forgiveness: Forgiving those who have done wrong.
- Humility: Letting one's accomplishments speak for themselves.
- Prudence: Being careful about one's choices; not taking undue risks.
- Self-Regulation: Regulating what one feels and does.
- Transcendence
- Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence: Noticing and appreciating beauty, excellence, and/or skilled performance in various domains of life.
- Gratitude: Being aware of and thankful for the good things that happen.
- Hope: Expecting the best in the future and working to achieve it.
- Humor: Liking to laugh and tease; bringing smiles to others.
- Spirituality: Having coherent beliefs about the higher purpose and meaning of the universe.
Determining Your Core Strengths and Purpose
To determine your core strengths, consider the following steps:
- Read through the above list and rate these in order of importance or priority to you or complete the VIA Survey: The VIA Institute on Character offers a free, scientifically validated survey that helps identify your top character strengths. You can take the survey at VIA Character Strengths Survey & Character Reports
- Reflect on Your Results: Once you've completed the survey, review your top strengths. Reflect on how these strengths manifest in your life and how they contribute to your sense of purpose and well-being.
- Set Goals Aligned with Your Strengths: Identify ways to apply your strengths in your daily life. Set specific goals that allow you to use and develop these strengths further.
- Cultivate a Strengths Mindset: Embrace a mindset that focuses on building and leveraging your strengths. Recognize and celebrate your strengths and look for opportunities to use them in new and meaningful ways.
By identifying and cultivating your core strengths, you can enhance your well-being and live a more fulfilling and purpose-driven life. Working with a therapist or psychologist may also provide additional support and guidance in this journey. This may help you along your path to discovering and nurturing your strengths to take steps towards leading a strengths-based, healthy, mindful, meaningful, values-driven life!