Values in Action Inventory of Strengths

Introduction

Positive psychology is a relatively new branch focusing on human strength and well-being
(Smith, Ford, Erickson, & Guzman, 2021). Martin Seligman and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
pioneered positive psychology as the field that seeks to fix what is wrong with people and fosters
what is right (Boniwell & Tunariu, 2019). It is one of the prominent frameworks in this field,
though developed by Seligman and Christopher Peterson as VIA Inventory of Strengths (Han,
2019). This inventory classifies human strengths into six core virtues: Wisdom and Knowledge,
Courage, Humanity, Justice, temperance, and Transcendence (Kim et al., 2018). These positively
desirable character traits will make life meaningful and promote the common good.

Top Strengths

Curiosity (Wisdom and Knowledge)

Curiosity belongs to the virtue of Wisdom and Knowledge. It is an innate desire for novelty of
ideas, experiences, and understanding. It is a desire to learn and enjoy the process of learning,
adopting openness to novelty, and seeking an understanding as deep as it may go of things (Ruch
et al., 2010). Curiosity has been my top strength according to the VIA inventory, and it has
deeply influenced my academic and personal life. I have always been attracted to subjects that
have challenged my understanding, especially psychology which is a field filled with exciting
insights into human behavior.

For example, during my psychology courses particularly in Introduction to Psychology and

Abnormal Psychology, I would source more information from reading materials outside of class
lectures and online lectures to be as informed as I possibly could beyond what is offered on the
curriculum. My inquisitive mind led me to participate in discussions and sometimes questioning
that diverted class to a new track. It has improved my academic performance besides giving me
broader insights into life.
Curiosity according to Self-Determination Theory is the satisfaction of the intrinsic
psychological needs for autonomy and competence (Soenens & Vansteenkiste, 2011). SDT
further remarks that people are natural growing-improvement organisms, and by promoting
curiosity, it becomes the basis for deeper learning and personal development (Wehmeyer, Cheon,
Lee, & Silver, 2021). For me, this strength of curiosity has given me a lifelong love for learning.
This has profoundly influenced my academic success and personal development.

Kindness (Humanity)

The virtue of kindness, which is a fundamental strength of humanity, is the ability to serve others
without asking anything in return (Ruch et al., 2010). This ability has influenced all aspect of my
interactions with others, both in my personal and professional life (Toner, Haslam, Robinson, &
Williams, 2012). For example, I always made it a point to help a close friend who was
experiencing anxiety during a particularly trying time in their life by being there, listening, and
offering comfort. This kind of generosity gave me a feeling of accomplishment and purpose in
addition to strengthening our connection.

In line with Seligman's Authentic Happiness Theory, cultivating qualities like kindness can
lead to happiness. According to the argument, doing deeds of kindness fulfills our higher moral
purpose and hence contributes to our deeper feeling of well-being. (Seligman, 2011). I've learned
that being kind to others improves our relationships and makes life seem more important and
connected.

Bottom Strengths

Leadership (Justice)

The virtue of justice encompasses leadership, which is the capacity to organize and guide people
toward accomplishing a common objective (Ruch et al., 2010). Even though I occasionally
participated in team projects and activities, I have frequently found it difficult to assume a
leadership role. I tend to participate as a team member rather than a leader, and I tend to shy
away from duties that include leading others.
For instance, even though my friends encouraged me to take the lead during a group project in
one of my psychology classes, I was hesitant to do so. I discovered that rather than being in
command of the entire project, I was more at ease just doing what I was told and paying attention
to my assignments. My inability to take on leadership tasks has hindered my capacity to acquire
critical abilities like delegation, dispute resolution, and decision-making.

The lack of leadership strength is a reflection of a chance lost for personal development. The
Psychological Well-Being Theory states that accepting one's shortcomings and making an effort
to strengthen them might increase one's feeling of well-being (Arnold, 2017). I may be afraid of
failing or have self-doubt, which makes me reluctant to take on leadership tasks.

Self-Regulation (Temperance)

Temperance is a strength that includes self-regulation, which is the ability to regulate one's
impulses, emotions, and actions to accomplish long-term objectives (Ruch et al., 2010). I've
never been good at self-control, and this has negatively impacted a lot of areas of my life. For
instance, I have frequently caught myself putting off studying around test times in favor of
transient activities like watching TV or using the internet. Occasionally, this lack of discipline
has led to hurried tasks and last-minute preparations, which has negatively impacted both the
caliber of my work and my academic standing.

Studies indicate that self-control is essential for achieving success in a variety of areas of life,
such as learning, employment, and interpersonal connections (Duckworth & Gross, 2014). The
Self-Determination Theory holds that competence and autonomy can only be attained by self-
regulation (Brown & Ryan, 2015). But because I have trouble controlling myself, I frequently
feel angry and disappointed in myself, especially when I don't live up to my standards. Realizing
this shortcoming has inspired me to research methods for enhancing my self-discipline, such as
establishing precise objectives, establishing orderly schedules, and minimizing distractions.

Reflection on Strengths and Life Influence

My life has been influenced by my strengths and weaknesses, and the harmony between my top
strength, Curiosity, and my bottom strength, Self-Regulation provides important insights. My
academic achievement has surely been driven by my curiosity, which inspires me to investigate
novel concepts and pursue a deeper comprehension. However, my lack of self-regulation has
frequently limited my capacity to make full use of this talent. For instance, I often find myself
overwhelmed by too many interests and insufficient concentration on finishing assignments since
my curiosity drives me to investigate a variety of topics, but I lack the self-discipline to manage
my time properly.

Similarly, my strength in Kindness has favorably benefited my relationships, establishing closer

connections with others. However, my lack of leadership strength has prevented me from
assuming greater responsibility in group situations, which might have hampered my growth on
both a personal and professional level.

I may get a better understanding of how these strengths and shortcomings affect my behavior and
decision-making by considering them through the prism of positive psychology theories like
Self-Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan, 2012) and Authentic Happiness Theory (Tanzer,
2021). The first stage of personal improvement is acknowledging one's strengths and
shortcomings. By concentrating on developing leadership and self-control, I may strive toward
leading a more balanced and satisfying life.

Conclusion

In summary, the Values in Action Inventory of Strengths provides a useful framework for
comprehending an individual's character qualities and their effects on various aspects of life. I
now have a better knowledge of how these qualities have affected my relationships, personal
development, and academic success by recognizing my top strengths—Curiosity and Kindness—
and my bottom strengths—Leadership and Self-Regulation. As my accomplishments have been
aided by my strengths, there is still room for development in my shortcomings. Through the use
of positive psychology ideas and self-awareness, it is possible to create a more rewarding
existence that strikes a balance between my talents and flaws.
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