Character strengths and virtues are essential elements of Positive psychology. Seligman has given 6 virtues and 24 character strengths which are further explained in the presentation.

1. S U M I R A N K H A T R I
1 8 4 3 4 P S Y 0 3 3
M A I I Y E A R
A M P G C

2. Virtue
 Virtue is derived from Latin word “ VIR” meaning man,
it denotes ‘ strength of character leading to courageous
deeds’.
 A virtue , therefore is a trait or quality that is deemed to
be morally good and thus is valued as a foundation of
principle and good moral being
 Moral excellence of a person
 According to Peterson and Seligman(2004)
“ Virtues are universal, perhaps grounded in biology
through an evolutionary process that selected for these
aspects of excellence as a means of solving important
task necessary for survival of species”

3.  Wisdom refers to strengths that entail the acquisition and use of
knowledge.
 The will to accomplish goals in the face of opposition, external or
internal, is the main feature of Courage.
 Character strengths associated with the virtue Humanity involve
positive social interaction with friends and family members.
 The strengths of Justice show up in positive interactions with the
wider community.
 Temperance refers to strengths which protect us against excesses
of all sorts in satisfying our needs.
 Strengths that connect us to the larger universe constitute the
virtue of Transcendence.
Virtues

4. Character Strength
 Character is a Greek word which came to mean a
distinct mark by which one thing was
distinguished from other and later came
primarily to mean the assemblage of qualities
that distinguishes one individual from another .
 They are habits evident in thoughts , feelings and
actions.
 Character strengths are
routes for achieving Virtues.

6. Character strength
and virtues

7. 1. Wisdom & Knowledge -Cognitive strengths that entail the acquisition
and use of knowledge.
a) Creativity: Thinking of novel and productive ways to do things
b) Curiosity: Taking an interest in all of ongoing experience
c) Open-Mindedness: Thinking things through and examining them from all
sides
d) Love of Learning: Mastering new skills, topics, and bodies of knowledge
e) Perspective (Wisdom): Being able to provide wise counsel to others
2. Courage -Emotional strengths that involve the exercise of will to
accomplish goals in the face of opposition, external or internal
a) Bravery: Not shrinking from threat, challenge, difficulty, or pain
b) Persistence (Perseverance): Finishing what one starts, persisting in a course of
action despite obstacle.
c) Integrity (Authenticity, Honesty): Speaking the truth and presentingoneself in a
genuine way
d) Vitality : Approaching life with excitement and energy; not doing anything half
heartedly

8. 3.Humanity -Interpersonal strengths that involve tending and
befriending others
a) Love: Valuing close relations with others, in particular those in
which sharing and caring are reciprocated; being close to people
b) Kindness (Generosity, Nurturance, Care, Compassion, Altruistic
Love): Doing favors and good deeds for others; helping them;
taking care of them
c) Social Intelligence (Emotional Intelligence, Personal
Intelligence): Being aware of the motives and feelings of self and
others; knowing what to do to fit into different social situations;
knowing what makes other people tick
4. Justice -Civic strengths that underlie healthy community life
a) Citizenship (Social Responsibility, Loyalty, Teamwork): Working
well as member of a group or team; being loyal to the group; doing
one's share.
b) Fairness: Treating all people the same according to notions of
fairness and justice; not letting personal feelings bias decisions
about others ; giving everyone a fair chance
c) 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

9. 5. Temperance -Strengths that protect against excess
a) Forgiveness and Mercy: Forgiving those who have done wrong; accepting the
shortcomings of others; giving people a second chance; not being vengeful
b) Humility/Modesty: Letting one's accomplishments speak for themselves; not seeking
the spotlight; not regarding oneself as more special than one is
c) Prudence: Being careful about one's choices; not taking undue risks; not saying or
doing things that might later be regretted
d) Self-Regulation (Self-Control): Regulating what one feels and does; being disciplined;
controlling one's appetites and emotions
6. Transcendence -Strengths that forge connections to the larger universe and provide meaning
a) Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence (Awe, Wonder, Elevation): Noticing and
appreciating beauty, excellence, and skilled performance in all domains of life, from
nature to arts to mathematics to science to everyday experience
b) Gratitude: Being aware of and thankful for the good things that happen; taking time to
express thanks
c) 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
d) Humor (Playfulness): Liking to laugh and tease; bringing smiles to other people, seeing
the light side; making (not necessarily telling) jokes
e) Spirituality : Having coherent beliefs about the higher purpose and the meaning of
universe.

10. Enabling themes
 They are factors that leads people to manifest given
character strengths in any given situations and
hence contribute to virtues
( Peterson and Seligman , 2001)
 Enabling conditions include:
 educational and vocational opportunities,
 a supportive and consistent family,
 safe neighborhoods and schools,
 political stability and democracy,
 the existence of mentors and role models,
 supportive peers,
 physical environment,
 social environment.

11. Signature Strength
 Seligman (2002) argues that each of us has a signature
strength and that if we use these strengths everyday in
main areas of life then we will experience gratification
and authentic happiness.
 The more we can identify and build our character
strengths and recognize how we are using them the
happier, more energized and effective we will feel.
 Characteristics of signature strength;
 They represent the real you
 They bring a feeling of excitement when used
 A person excels such strength quickly
 A person feels energized and intrinsically motivated when using them

12.  Areas of life where it is important to use signature
strength are:
 Our relationship with romantic partner
 Our relationship with children
 Our relationships in work settings
 Our leisure activities
 How does it help us
 Encourages insight and perception in ones life
 Generates optimism
 Provides a sense of direction
 Generates a sense of vitality
 Brings a sense of fulfillment and gratification
 Helps achieve ones goals

13. Assessment of character strength and virtues
1. VIA Classification of Strengths
 Developed by Peterson and Seligman ( 2004)
 240 items answered in a 5- point Likert scale
 The strengths were identified via an esoteric route by
analyzing the major religious teachings of major Eastern
(Taoism, Confucianism, Hinduism and Buddhism) and
Western (Judaism, Christianity, Athenian virtue and
Islam) religion and going into authoritative texts of these
religions.
2. Gallup’s Clifton Strength finder
 Developed by Clifton
 34 themes

14. Thank You