This type of evaluation looks at the presence in someone of the six primary virtues and the various character strengths which are part of each virtue, based upon Peterson and Seligman’s seminal work: Character Strengths and Virutes: A Handbook and Classification. These include:

1. Wisdom / knowledge

Creativity

Curiosity

Open-mindedness

Love of learning

Perspective (wisdom)

2. Courage

Bravery

Persistence

Integrity

Vitality

3. Humanity

Love

Kindness

Social intelligence

4. Justice

Citizenship

Fairness

Leadership

5. Temperance

Forgiveness and mercy

Humility / modesty

Prudence

Self Regulation

6. Transcendance

Appreciation of beauty

Gratitude

Hope

Humor

Spirituality

This model has been combined with the Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual (PDM) to produce a new, experimental instrument developed by Keith A. Baird, Ph.D., ABPP of Heritage Professional Associates, called A Brief Survey of General Strengths and Weaknesses. This is a different model to help determine the goals of treatment, and to highlight a person’s character strengths which will be called upon to help the person meet his/her goals.