The VIA Classification of Character Strengths - Wisdom and Knowledge – cognitive strengths that entail the acquisition and use of knowledge
- Creativity
[originality, ingenuity]: Thinking of novel and productive ways to
conceptualize and do things; includes artistic achievement but is not
limited to it
- Curiosity [interest, novelty-seeking,
openness to experience]: Taking an interest in ongoing experience for
its own sake; finding subjects and topics fascinating; exploring and
discovering
- Open-mindedness [judgment, critical
thinking]: Thinking things through and examining them from all sides;
not jumping to conclusions; being able to change one's mind in light of
evidence; weighing all evidence fairly
- Love of
learning: Mastering new skills, topics, and bodies of knowledge,
whether on one's own or formally; obviously related to the strength of
curiosity but goes beyond it to describe the tendency to add
systematically to what one knows
- Perspective
[wisdom]: Being able to provide wise counsel to others; having ways of
looking at the world that make sense to oneself and to other people
- Courage – emotional strengths that involve the exercise of will to accomplish goals in the face of opposition, external or internal
- Bravery
[valor]: Not shrinking from threat, challenge, difficulty, or pain;
speaking up for what is right even if there is opposition; acting on
convictions even if unpopular; includes physical bravery but is not
limited to it
- Persistence [perseverance,
industriousness]: Finishing what one starts; persisting in a course of
action in spite of obstacles; “getting it out the door”; taking
pleasure in completing tasks
- Integrity [authenticity,
honesty]: Speaking the truth but more broadly presenting oneself in a
genuine way and acting in a sincere way; being without pretense; taking
responsibility for one's feelings and actions
- Vitality
[zest, enthusiasm, vigor, energy]: Approaching life with excitement and
energy; not doing things halfway or halfheartedly; living life as an
adventure; feeling alive and activated
- Humanity - interpersonal strengths that involve tending and befriending others
- Love:
Valuing close relations with others, in particular those in which
sharing and caring are reciprocated; being close to people
- Kindness
[generosity, nurturance, care, compassion, altruistic love,
"niceness"]: Doing favors and good deeds for others; helping them;
taking care of them
- Social intelligence [emotional
intelligence, personal intelligence]: Being aware of the motives and
feelings of other people and oneself; knowing what to do to fit into
different social situations; knowing what makes other people tick
- Justice - civic strengths that underlie healthy community life
- Citizenship
[social responsibility, loyalty, teamwork]: Working well as a member of
a group or team; being loyal to the group; doing one's share
- 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.
- Leadership:
Encouraging a group of which one is a member to get things done and at
the time maintain time good relations within the group; organizing
group activities and seeing that they happen.
- Temperance – strengths that protect against excess
- Forgiveness
and mercy: Forgiving those who have done wrong; accepting the
shortcomings of others; giving people a second chance; not being
vengeful
- Humility/Modesty: Letting one's accomplishments speak for themselves; not regarding oneself as more special than one is
- Prudence: Being careful about one's choices; not taking undue risks; not saying or doing things that might later be regretted
- Self-regulation [self-control]: Regulating what one feels and does; being disciplined; controlling one's appetites and emotions
- Transcendence - strengths that forge connections to the larger universe and provide meaning
- Appreciation
of beauty and excellence [awe, wonder, elevation]: Noticing and
appreciating beauty, excellence, and/or skilled performance in various
domains of life, from nature to art to mathematics to science to
everyday experience
- Gratitude: Being aware of and thankful for the good things that happen; taking time to express thanks
- 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
- Humor
[playfulness]: Liking to laugh and tease; bringing smiles to other
people; seeing the light side; making (not necessarily telling) jokes
- Spirituality
[religiousness, faith, purpose]: Having coherent beliefs about the
higher purpose and meaning of the universe; knowing where one fits
within the larger scheme; having beliefs about the meaning of life that
shape conduct and provide comfort
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