What is character and how does it differ from personality?
The concept of character expresses a set of fixed moral qualities that can determine our attitude and behavior. These internal qualitative elements are mainly objective and require time and observation to be perceived and identified accurately, in the context of different situations and events. Some examples of character traits are honesty, generosity and justice.
Personality, on the other hand, is about how we externalize our fixed characteristics and interact with the environment. It is easier to perceive and identify it and there is more room for subjective elements. For example, optimism, extroversion and self-confidence are elements of personality.
What is the significance of the character's strengths?
Strengths of character have been related by researchers to key dimensions of well-being such as self-esteem, finding meaning, positive engagement, achievement, and positive relationships with others. Therefore, identifying and cultivating the strengths of character can help maximize our potential and consequently improve our quality of life.
What is the VIA Institute categorization?
According to the VIA Institute (Values in Action), an American non-profit organization, the individual strengths of the character are associated with certain broader concepts called virtues. All of these can be developed, enhanced and used in our daily lives to our advantage. To facilitate the identification of these elements and their subsequent utilization, a categorization framework has been developed. It includes 24 strengths of character and 6 broader virtues, grouped as follows:
- Wisdom: concerns the acquisition and use of knowledge. It is linked to the following character elements:
- Creativity, Critical ability, Perspective, Love for learning, Curiosity
- Courage: refers to the strength, physical, mental and psychological that is necessary to fulfill goals and continue despite the difficulties and obstacles. It is linked to the following character elements:
- Perseverance, Bravery, Integrity, Zest
- Humanity: refers to the way interpersonal relationships are approached with respect, appreciation and sincere interest in the human factor. It is linked to the following character elements:
- Social intelligence, Love, Kindness
- Justice: refers to the way in which individuals or groups relate and interact, in order to ensure the balance and prosperity of all. It is linked to the following character elements:
- Fairness, Teamwork, Leadership
- Temperance: refers to the control and management of behavior, instincts and / or characteristics that can negatively affect interpersonal interactions and relationships. It is linked to the following character elements:
- Prudence, Self-Regulation, Forgiveness, Humility
- Transcendence: concerns the identification and appreciation of the positive elements that characterize both each person (including ourselves), as well as the environment in which we are and which enhance the interaction with other people. It is linked to the following character elements:
- Gratitude, Hope, Humor, Appreciation of beauty and excellence, Spirituality