Virtues, Values, & Character Strengths - Ch 8

why are character strengths important at work

if you feel like you are using your strengths at work, you perform better

how is character influenced by social media

people portray themselves as more outgoing, adventurous, and funny on social media

character and romantic relationships

higher levels of appreciation of a partner’s strengths is associated with higher levels of relationship satisfaction

aristotle’s definition of character

people with good character do the right thing, at the right time, in the right way - in Nicomachean ethics

virtues (aristotle)

basic descriptions of the ways people do the right thing

four cardinal virtues

1. justice

2. prudence

3. fortitude

4. temperence

3 theological virtues

1. faith

2. hope

3. charity

characterlogical

related to ones character

4 studied parts of character

1. talents

2. strengths

3. virtues

4. values

talents

naturally recurring patterns of thought, feeling, or behavior that can be productively applied

How many talents are there according to Clifton

34

Cliftons definition of strength

combination of talent , knowledge, and skill

values in action (via)

talents shouldnt be included in character because they lack moral dimension

virtues (seigelman and peterson)

core characteristics valued by philosophers and religious leaders across time and world cultures

taxonomy (segelman and peterson)

system for naming and organizing things into groups that share similar qualities

6 virtues (segelman and peterson)

1. wisdom

2. courage

3. humanity

4. justice

5. temperance

6. transcendence

problems with segelmans virtues

1. are they actually distinct

2. abstract

character strengths

smaller components that virtues can be broken up in

virutes v. strengths (segelman)

• virtues are ends we want to have

• strengths are how we get there

10 criterion for character strengths

1. fufilling

2. morally valued

3. acting on it shouldnt hurt others

4. it should have an opposite that is negative

5. trait-like

6. shouldnt overlap with other strengths

7. consensual paragons (role models)

8. should have prodigies

9. absent from some people

10. encourged by society

social desirability bias

tendency to answer questions in a way that others view favorably

signature strengths

strengths we self consciously own and celebrate and use most often

criterion for signature strengths

1. sense of ownership and authenticity

2. feeling of excitement

3. rapid learning curve

4. want to find ways to use it

5. can’t imagine not using it

6. invigorated while using

7. embrace situations that use the strength

8. feelings of joy, zest and ecstasy

value

belief regarding what kinds of goals are preferable to others

terminal values

outcomes that people strive to actualize in the world such as peace, equality, happiness, friendship

instrumental values

preffered modes of behavior such as politeness, honesty, logic, and responsibility

4 higher order catergories according to schwartz

1. openess to change

2. self enhancement

3. conservation

4. self transcendence

relationship between culture and character

most cultures share similar values