1. Wisdom and knowledge – cognitive strengths that entail the acquisition and use of knowledge |
*Creativity (originality, adaptivity, ingenuity) |
Curiosity (interest, novelty-seeking, exploration, openness to experience) |
*Open-Mindedness (judgement, critical thinking, thinking things through) |
*Love of Learning (mastering new skills and topics, systematically adding to knowledge) |
*Perspective (wisdom, providing wise counsel, taking the big picture view) |
2. Courage – emotional strengths that involve the exercise of will to accomplish goals in the face of opposition |
*Bravery (valour, not shrinking from fear, speaking up for what's right) |
*Persistence (perseverance, industriousness, finishing what one starts) |
*Integrity (authenticity, honesty, speaking the truth, presenting oneself and acting in a genuine and sincere way) |
Vitality (zest, enthusiasm, vigour, energy, feeling alive, and activated) |
3. Humanity – interpersonal strengths that involve tending and befriending others |
Love (valuing close relations with others, both loving and being loved, being close to people) |
Kindness (generosity, nurturance, care, compassion, altruistic love, niceness, helping others) |
*Social Intelligence (emotional intelligence, being aware of the motives/feelings of self/others) |
4. Justice – civic strengths that underlie healthy community life |
*Teamwork (citizenship, social responsibility, loyalty, doing one's share, working well as a team member) |
*Fairness (just, treating all people the same according to notions of fairness and justice, not letting feelings bias decisions about others) |
*Leadership (organising group activities, encouraging a group to get things done and at the same time maintaining good relations within the group) |
5. Temperance – strengths that protect against excess |
Forgiveness and Mercy (accepting others’ shortcomings, giving people a second chance, not being vengeful) |
Humility/Modesty (letting one's accomplishments speak for themselves, not regarding oneself to be more special than oneself) |
Prudence (careful, cautious, not taking undue risks, not saying or doing things that might later be regretted) |
*Self-Regulation (self-control, discipline, controlling one's appetites, impulses and emotions) |
6. 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) |
Gratitude (being aware of and thankful for the good things that happen, feeling blessed) |
Hope (optimism, future-mindedness, future orientation, believing a good future is something that can be brought about) |
Humour (playfulness, liking to laugh and tease, bringing smiles to others, light-heartedness) |
Spirituality (religiousness, faith, having coherent beliefs about the higher purpose and meaning of the universe) |