‘NORMAL’ PERSONALITY AND MORAL PERSONALITY
Values in Action Questionnaire (VIA)
(Peterson & Seligman, 2004 ).
Variable
Character strengths have been defined as, ‘psychological ingredients /C0processes or mechanisms /C0that define
the virtues’ ( Peterson & Seligman, 2004 , p.13). They listed six virtues (wisdom and knowledge, courage, human-
ity, justice, temperance, and transcendence) under which fall 24 character strengths (see Table 18.2 ). There are 10
criteria set as the standards to which true character strengths must align (see Table 18.3 ).
Description
Peterson and Seligman (2004) defined virtues as the central characteristics that have been valued by moral phi-
losophers and religious thinkers worldwide. Six central virtues were defined following extensive historical stud-
ies: wisdom and knowledge, courage, humanity, justice, temperance, and transcendence. In this account, virtues
are seen as universal traits possibly grounded in biology through an evolutionary process that selects the best
traits for solving the most important tasks at hand ( Peterson & Seligman, 2004 ).TABLE 18.2 Peterson and Seligman’s (2004) Values in Action (VIA)
Classification of Virtues and Strengths
Virtue Character strength
Wisdom and Knowledge Creativity
Curiosity
Open-Mindedness
Love of Learning
Perspective
Courage Bravery
Persistence
Integrity
Vitality
Humanity Love
Kindness
Social Intelligence
Justice Citizenship
Fairness
Leadership
Temperance Forgiveness/Mercy
Humility/Modesty
Prudence
Self-Regulation
Transcendence Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence
Gratitude
Hope
Humor
Spirituality521 ‘NORMAL ’ PERSONALITY AND MORAL PERSONALITY
V. VICES AND VIRTUES