Revisiting the hierarchical structure of the 24 VIA character strengths: Three global dimensions may suffice to capture their essence

Abstract

The Values in Action (VIA) framework maps 24 character strengths onto six more abstract virtues through a theoretical classification. However, compared to other individual difference constructs, there is little consensus about the factor-analytic structure of the VIA trait space. Applying Horn’s parallel analysis, Goldberg’s Bass-ackwards approach, and cross-country congruency analysis, we scrutinize the factor-analytic solutions-hierarchy of the 24 VIA strengths with the aim to identify one or more useful global levels of abstraction (akin to the Big Five, HEXACO/Big Six, or personality metatraits). We assessed the 24 character strengths with the psychometrically refined IPIP-VIA-R inventory in two large and heterogeneous samples from Germany and the UK (total N ≈ 2,000). Results suggested that three global dimensions suffice to capture the essence of character strengths: Level III recovered more than 50% of the total variation of the 24 character strengths in well-interpretable, global/general, cross-culturally replicable dimensions. We provisionally labeled them positivity, dependability, and mastery. Their superordinate Level-II-dimensions were reminiscent of the “Big Two” personality metatraits Dynamism and Social Self-Regulation. Our results advance the understanding of the VIA character trait space and may serve as a basis for developing scales to assess these global dimensions.

Human Character in the IPIP: Towards Shorter, More Content-Valid, and Cross-Culturally Comparable IPIP-VIA Character Strength Scales

“…From there it inherits 50% of the items while keeping the factor structure robust. The response options are 5-point Likert-type (1 = Disagree strongly, 2 = hierarchy, which exceeds the present scope but receives attention elsewhere (e.g., Partsch et al, 2021). Previous research occasionally found that strengths form a characteristic two-factorial circular structure: a circumplex with the two axes "self-oriented" versus "other-oriented" and "head" versus "heart" (Park et al, 2017;cf.…”

“…Character strengths reside at a similar level of abstraction as personality facets in the personality trait hierarchy. They form the building blocks of the VIA character trait space (McGrath et al, 2020;Partsch et al, 2021), resembling facets of traits in other trait spaces, such as the Big Five or HEXACO domains (Ashton & Lee, 2007;McCrae & John, 1992;Thalmayer & Saucier, 2014). Yet, despite these similarities, differences between the character strengths and lexically derived personality traits are evident.…”

“…These character strengths are also reflected in the Values in Action Inventory of Strengths (VIA-IS) that intends to measure these 24 character strengths (Peterson et al, 2005). According to the VIA framework, these strengths can be mapped to six more abstract virtues (the "High Six" core virtues: justice, wisdom, temperance, courage, humanity, and transcendence), which themselves are too abstract to be measured directly and were theoretically, not factor-analytically derived (see Partsch et al, 2021). By comparison, the strengths are theoretically well-defined concepts and accompanied by prototypical exemplars (paragons), thus form the heart of measurement in the VIA framework.…”

Measuring Global Character Dimensions: An Ant Colony Optimization Approach Towards Three Core Strengths Scales

“…Two decades ago, Peterson and Seligman (2004) introduced a comprehensive collection of 24 theoretically derived and empirically supported "values in action" (VIA): ubiquitously and morally valued, malleable character strengths. Locating them in a trait hierarchy, the 24 VIA character strengths are on a fine-grained level of abstraction similar to personality facets (McGrath et al, 2020;Partsch et al, 2021). That is, they are rather specific, narrow traits.…”

“…Contrariwise, there was no consensus regarding factor-analytically derived global VIA (meta-)traits 1 for a long time (see review in Partsch et al, 2021). Several recent studies, however, converge on the notion that three global metatraits can be identified in the VIA trait space.…”