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(Updated: July 10, 2008)

Overview of the Research

By Christopher Peterson, PhD

Science Director, VIA Institute on Character

Since the publication of Character Strengths and Virtues, A Handbook and Classification, Peterson, C, & Seligman, M.E.P, the following chapters discussing the VIA Classification have been written:

  • Park, N., & Peterson, C. (in press). Character strengths. In R. Gilman, E. S. Huebner, & M.J. Furlong (Eds.), Handbook of positive psychology in the schools. Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum

  • Peterson, C., Stephens, J. P., Park, N., Lee, F., & Seligman, M. E. P.(in press). Strengths of character and work. In P. A. Linley, S. Harrington, & N. Page (Eds.), Handbook of positive psychology and work. New York: Oxford University Press.
  • Peterson, C., & Park, N. (in press). Classifying and measuring strengths of character. In C.R Snyder & S.J. Lopez (Eds.), Handbook of positive psychology (2nd ed.) New York: Oxford University Press.
  • Park, N., & Peterson, C. (in press). The cultivation of character strengths: Teaching the psychological good life. In M. Ferrari & G. Poworowski (Eds.), Teaching for wisdom. Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.
  • Park, N., & Peterson, C. (2008). The cultivation of character strengths. In M. Ferrari & G. Potworowski (Eds.), Teaching for wisdom (pp. 57-75). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.
  • Peterson, C., & Park, N. (2008). The positive psychology of superheroes. In R. Rosenberg & J. Canzoneri (Eds.), The psychology of superheroes: An unauthorized exploration (pp. 5-18). Dallas, TX: BenBella Books.
  • Peterson, C. (2006). The Values in Action (VIA) Classification of Strengths: The un-DSM and the real DSM. In M. Csikszentmihalyi & I. Csikszentmihalyi (Eds.) A life worth living: Contributions to positive psychology (pp. 29-48). New York: Oxford University Press.


Measurement

How to measure strengths of character as individual differences continues to be a primary focus on the VIA project. The self-report survey for adults (VIA-IS) is being translated into a variety of languages, and with support from the Templeton Foundation, websites in Chinese and Spanish have been created that include translations of the VIA-IS. Nansook Park has developed a content analysis strategy of scoring character strengths from open-ended written or spoken material, thereby extending the scope of character research beyond surveys.


Basic Research

Research also continues into character strengths as conceived by the VIA Classification and measured with VIA instruments. Much of the early research mapped out the association between character strengths and life satisfaction (happiness), and the data point in particular to the strengths of love, hope, gratitude, curiosity, and zest as robust contributors. More recent research has looked at some of the experiences that may forge character strengths, including illness. And in-progress research is looking at “hard” outcomes like physical health and work productivity as a function of character strengths.

  • Peterson, C., Park, N., Hall, N., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2008). Zest and work. Journal of Organizational Psychology.

  • Peterson, C., Park, N., Pole, N., D'Andrea, W., & Seligman, M. E. P.  (2008). Strengths of character and posttraumatic growth. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 21, 214-217
  • Peterson, C., Park, N., & Sweeney, P. J. (2008). Group well-being:  Morale from a positive psychology perspective. Applied Psychology: An International Review, 57, 19-36.

  • Park, N., & Peterson, C. (2006). Character strengths and happiness among young children: Content analysis of parental descriptions. Journal of Happiness Studies, 7, 323-341.
  • Biswas-Diener, R. (2006). From the equator to the north pole: A study of character strengths. Journal of Happiness Studies, 7, 293-310.
  • Peterson, C. (2006). Strengths of character and happiness: Introduction to special issue. Journal of Happiness Studies, 7, 289-291.
  • Park, N., Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2006). Strengths in fifty-four nations and the fifty US states. Journal of Positive Psychology, 1, 118-129.
  • Peterson, C., Park., N., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2006). Greater strengths of character and recovery from illness. Journal of Positive Psychology, 1, 17-26.
  • Park, N., Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Strengths of character and well-being. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 23, 603-619.
  • Park, N., Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Strengths of character and well-being: A closer look at hope and modesty. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 23, 628-634.
  • Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2003).Character strengths before and after September 11. Psychological Science, 14, 381-384.
  • Steen, T. A., Kachorek, L. V., & Peterson, C. (2003).Character strengths among youth. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 32, 5-16.

Application

Research is also underway that uses the VIA Classification and measures in applied settings, including education, business, life coaching, and the military.