Martin Seligman

Define Seligman’s Signature Strengths

Character strengths that are essential to who we are

List Seligman’s 6 Virtues

• Wisdom

• Courage

• Humanity

• Transendence

• Justice

• Moderation

Wisdom

• cogntive strength

• creative - can think of new ways to do things

• curious - willing to learn new things

• open-minded - examining things from all sides

• loves to learn: can master new topics, skills and areas of research

• has perspective: can provide wise counsel to others

Courage

• emotional strength

• can accomplish goals

• honest - speaks truth

• brave - embraces challenges and difficulties

• persistent - finishes something once started

• zest - approaches new thing with excitement

Humanity

• interpersonal skills

• caring for and befriending others

• kindness - does favours and good deeds

• love - values close relations with others

• social intelligence - aware of people’s motives and feelings

Justice

• highlights the importance of a healthy community

• fairness - treating everyone the same

• leadership - organising activities, making sure they happen

• teamwork - working well with others

Transendence

• ability to connect with god, the universe, nature…

• provides meaning and understanding

• appreciation of beauty - appreciating the beiaty and excellence in everything

• gratitude - thankful for the good things

• hope - expects the best, works to make it happen, believes good things are possible

• humour - making others smile or lauugh

• religiousness - solid belief in a higher power

Moderation

• skills that protect against the excesses in life

• forgiveness - forgiving those who wronged them

• modesty - letting their success and accomplishment stand on their own

• prudence - making good choices

• self-regulation - being disciplined, controlling desire and emotions

How are character strengths used?

• identify, understand and build on person’s strengths

• helps psychologists and educators see what makes a person unique