Written by Todd Dilbeck MA CC-AASP, Sheldon High School (California)
Revised by Scott Reed, Virginia Welle, Randy Ernst
Purpose
The VIA Character Strengths Survey came out of the work of Martin Seligman, PhD, and Chris Peterson’s, PhD, publication Character Strengths and Virtuesopens in new window. This publication was considered the “backbone of positive psychology,” and led to the creation of the VIA Surveyopens in new window that is designed to measure twenty-four character strengths.
National Standards for High School Psychology Curricula
- Pillar: Mental and Physical Health
- Standard Area: Health
- Content Standard 2: Psychological science promotes mental and physical health and wellness.
- Students are able to (learning targets): 2.2 Identify evidence-based strategies that promote health and wellness.
Time Required
Approximately 50 minutes for initial survey. About 10 to 15 minutes weekly if doing the Positive Events Recording.
Materials
- Access to the VIA Surveyopens in new window through cell phone or computer.
- Character Strengths and Positive Events Recording worksheetsopens in new window (PDF, 130KB)
Task
The initial lesson will be used to present the concept and guide students toward completing the test. Students will then determine ways in which they can use their strengths to be successful in the class. As the term moves along, they will monitor their progress in using their strengths.
- Explain the basis of Positive Psychology. The focus is on utilizing personal strengths and applying them to life’s endeavors/activities.
- Assign the VIA Surveyopens in new window as homework or complete in class. It takes about ten minutes and can be done on a cell phone. In some districts this may require parent permission, so there is a space for parents to sign on the worksheet. Students will also complete a brief personal write-up that analyzes their identified strengths. Handout: Character Strengths worksheet.
- In class (after the VIA survey results), students will identify ways in which they can use their identified strengths through the class in order to be successful.
- Each Friday, students will be asked to complete a Positive Events Recording. On this sheet, they will note personal positives/successes that happened throughout that week which were connected to their strengths.
Assessment
Students will complete the survey and the worksheet Character Strengths. Completion will include the list of the top five character strengths, as well as a paragraph that relates each of the five character strengths to aspects of the student’s life.
Extension Ideas
Later in the year, you can have students revisit their character strengths list by choosing three strengths they feel they are underutilizing. The students can pick the skills and make action plans for how to focus on those character strengths. Again, you can have students share their progress each Friday.
Reference
Ivtzan, I., Niemiec, R. M., & Briscoe, C. (2016). A study investigating the effects of Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice (MBSP) on wellbeing. International Journal of Wellbeing, 6(2).
Attachment
Character Strengths and Positive Events Recording worksheetsopens in new window (PDF, 130KB)
This resource was revised by a Working Group on Skills that Promote Well-Being and Flourishing from the APA Summit on High School Psychology Education (July 2017).