What character strengths are
Character strengths are the good parts of who you are — ways of thinking, feeling and acting that come naturally to you and do good for you and for others. The point is to look at what already works in you, not only at what needs fixing. The idea comes from positive psychology. The psychologists Christopher Peterson and Martin Seligman looked at how philosophy and religion across cultures have described good character, and gathered what they share in their 2004 book Character Strengths and Virtues.
The book describes twenty-four strengths, grouped under six virtues: wisdom, courage, humanity, justice, temperance and transcendence. The virtues are the broad themes, and the strengths are different routes to them. The test gives each strength a score from two statements, and each virtue a score that is the average of its strengths. Your signature strengths are your top five — six or seven when the next strength scores almost as high.
Everyone has all twenty-four. The order shows which come most naturally to you right now, not which you lack. A lower strength is one that comes less easily or gets less room in your life at the moment — not one that is missing. The test is an aid to reflection, not a diagnosis.
The statements are Inwork’s own, written for the app from that research — not the survey published by the VIA Institute on Character — and the test scores exactly as the test inside the app does.
Six virtues
- Wisdom
- Wisdom reflects the strengths of a curious mind — how you take in, test and use knowledge.
- Courage
- Courage reflects the strengths of a brave heart — the will to stand up for what you believe and keep going when it is hard.
- Humanity
- Humanity reflects the strengths of genuine connection — how you care for, understand and get close to others.
- Justice
- Justice reflects the strengths of community — how you do your part in a group, treat others fairly and help it move forward.
- Temperance
- Temperance reflects the strengths of inner balance — what guards against excess, like forgiving, thinking ahead and resisting impulses.
- Transcendence
- Transcendence reflects the strengths that connect you to something larger — what brings meaning, gratitude and hope.
Frequently asked questions
What are signature strengths, and how do I use them?
They are the strengths that score highest for you — the ones that feel most like you and give you energy when you use them. A good start is to use one of them in a new way each day for a week.
Is a low strength a weakness?
No. Everyone has all twenty-four, and a lower strength is one that comes less naturally or gets less room right now. Strengths can grow with practice, and the order can shift as your life does.
Do I need an account?
No. The whole result is shown without an account and without an email. An account is only needed if you want to keep it.
Where do my answers go?
Nowhere, unless you choose. The result is worked out on your device and your answers stay in your browser. Save the result to an account and the answers are encrypted first.
