Positive Psychology at Work:

Strengths and Talents

1) Seligman's character strengths

One of Martin Seligman's earliest positive psychology research interests was character strengths. He wanted to create a taxonomy of strengths that would act as a counterweight to the taxonomy of human frailty developed over the postwar years: the extensive categorization system for mental dysfunction or illness known as the DMS (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV)). Having recruited Peterson, they researched extensively across human history and culture to identify aspects of human character consistently recognized as inherently worthy, virtuous or good. It is their view that there is a discrete number of human character strengths that are acultural, ahistoric, universal and quantifiable. At present they have identified 24 virtues under six character strengths which fit their criteria (Peterson and Seligman, 2004).

Almost everyone has some character strengths. Signature strengths are the positive traits that a person owns, celebrates and frequently exercises. Research in this area suggests that knowing your signature character strengths and using them frequently are the path to a fulfilling life. Some strengths, such as zest, hope, curiosity, gratitude and love, positively predict happiness and life satisfaction across the lifespan (Seligman, 2006). We might all do well to cultivate these strengths. Meanwhile, it has fallen to other researchers to examine the relationship between strengths ...