Number of Personal Psychological Strengths that People across Cultures Possess - Essay Example

There are a number of personal psychological strengths that people across cultures possess. (Peterson, & Seligman, 2004). Personal psychological strengths are strengths of characters that people exercise on a daily basis. They are the core capabilities for behaving; feeling as well as thinking in such a way that benefits people. Anyone can easily identify a number of psychological strengths typically present in an individual. Psychological strengths can be in-born characteristics (Joseph & Wood, 2010). They can also be acquired through intentional activities that cultivate positive cognitions and behaviours. This reflective essay will describe my psychological strengths and the methods used to identify and assess them. It will also analyse how these strengths can be developed and their impact on life issues such as health, career and education. One of my personal psychological strengths includes sense of purpose and faith. I have a coherent belief in the meaning of the universe as well as of higher power. My beliefs have shaped my actions and act as sources of comfort. Another personal psychological strength includes honesty, authenticity and genuineness. I consider myself an honest person by the way I live and the way I speak the truth. People consider me a down to earth person and a “real” person. In addition, I also have leadership strengths. I have the potential to succeed at leadership responsibilities since I can encourage people to preserve harmony and work towards a predetermined goal. One of the most important personal psychological strength I possess includes perspective wisdom. The people close to me consider me as a wise person; they take into consideration my perspective on matters and most of the time turn to me for advice. I have the ability to look at the universe in a way that makes sense to me and also to others. I possess the qualities such as caution, prudence and discretion. I consider myself as a careful individual and my choices are most at times prudent ones. I consider what I do or say because I do not want to say or do something that I might regret later. As mentioned earlier, every person possesses personal psychological strengths that correspond to character strength. An individual has the ability to measure and assess personal psychological strengths (Peterson, & Seligman, 2004). One method of doing this is the use of survey or questionnaire. There exists a research-based survey that has the ability to allow people identify their personal psychological strengths. The VIA survey is considered a valid and reliable psychological test that can be used to assess an individual’s character strengths (Peterson, & Seligman, 2004). When an individual completes a VIA Survey, he or she will receive results of the survey which will offer a list of the 24 character strengths from their highest to lowest. The VIA Survey is made up of a 240-item self-report questionnaire that is intended to measure psychological strengths (Peterson, Christopher and Seligman, 2004). The survey utilizes 5-point Likert-style items to assess the level at which respondents to the questionnaire ratify items addressing the 24 strengths of character in the VIA classification (Peterson, & Seligman, 2004). The questionnaire takes approximately 25 minutes to finish. It is able to measure psychological strengths of an individual. The initial psychometrics was conducted on two brief versions of full length VIA Survey of 240 questions. It was developed by statistically selecting 5 questions from the original 10 questions. The VIA results indicated that my VIA-120 of leadership and prudence was 0.69 and 0.78 rspectively. These results showed that my level of leadership and prudence enabled me understand and identify my character strengths and has enabled me use the information to lead a thriving lives (Peterson, & Seligman, 2004). My personal psychological strengths have impacted some aspects of my daily life. Psychological strengths are considered positive measures of personality that influence how I feel, think and behave (Park & Peterson, 2006). I can say that they are the reason for me being my best self. When these psychological strengths are applied effectively, they bring about benefits to one and to others. Psychological strengths are linked to positive emotions as well as life satisfaction (Park, Peterson & Seligman, 2004). These strengths have enabled me excel in my social, professional and personal life. For instance, my self esteem has increased immensely in my private and work life. Research has shown that people who make use of their psychological strengths are likely to be more engaged and happier in their homes and work (Joseph & Wood, 2010). Personally, I have an internal sense of control. This is form of strength these strengths has enabled me have a positive perception at work and therefore have given me an opportunity to be confident in pursuing my dreams, goals and objectives. My sense of purpose has given me coherent focus and motivation to be myself and avoid fear. I am happier and take life as it comes. My perceptive wisdom and caution has enabled me buffer against challenges and overcome problems in my personal life. With the wisdom that I possess, I am able to manage challenges and defies. My professional and personal relationships have improved due to effective application of my psychological strengths. Psychological strengths have enabled me acquire effective communication skills to build a good relationship with people (Peterson, & Seligman, 2004). The quality of relationships may be enhanced through improving the way one decode or encode body language (Park and Peterson, 2006). The way people respond to another person’s nonverbally can express that he or she understands and care and will in the long run improve their relationship. Due to the virtue of leadership that I possess, I am able to communicate well and understand people’s opinions. Leadership, honesty and genuineness have given me an opportunity to be trusted by people and therefore have contributed to my ability to form long-term relationships. In addition, my personal psychological strengths have enabled me enhance my health and well being. The combination of my strengths brings about a substantial framework based on goal attainment and overall well-being (Gillham et al., 2011). For instance, my strength in use of knowledge helped me attain my educational goal through one level to the other successfully.This is as a result of life satisfaction, abundant positive emotions and little negative emotions. This has resulted to success in my education and work life. I am more determined, focussed and ready to accommodate changes. My strengths have given me optimism and hope where I can expect the best from the future by being less worried and thus becoming wiser to face the future. Personal psychological strengths can be developed through a number of interventions (Gillham et al., 2011). Therefore, my top psychological strength is having a sense of purpose. The first thing I did was to energize myself. I did this by using my talent through song writing. Through song writing, I was able to make progress and every time I wanted to build it off. The second way I developed my sense of purpose was by facing life with determination, hope and vision of making the world a better place. In addition, research has established that the teaching of well-being and positive psychology in school has resulted to reliable and noticeable improvements in people’s psychological strengths (Park & Peterson, 2009). For instance, the positive psychology program offered in schools which often consist of about 20-25 lessons and entails character strengths discussions, journal reflections and in-class activities has been said to enhance engagement in class and in the long-run develop character strengths (Park and Peterson, 2006). However, it is important to understand that, in order to effectively develop psychological strengths, it is necessary to provide individualized character strengths education based on unique strengths (Park & Peterson, 2006). In children, in order to develop positive psychological strengths, one needs to reward already displayed strengths. People should also be encouraged to participate in a number of strengths exercises in order to effectively identify their signature psychological strengths because it can help an individual dedicate themselves in various area such as nutrition and time management. (Gillham et al., 2011). Exploration of strengths through positive psychology strength exercises allows an individual to identify and develop the strengths that they are strong in (Gillham et al., 2011). Therefore; applying positive psychology exercises in school curriculum will enhance the psychological strength development process (Park and Peterson, 2006). In addition to being involved in a positive psychology exercises, it is important to reflect on the progress daily. Quiet reflection towards developing psychological strengths is important, as one is able to improve and accomplish the set objective, which is to effectively develop positive character strengths. In conclusion, psychological strength is a very significant aspect of an individuals life. They are the core capabilities for behaving and thinking in such a way that benefits people. My personal psychological include a sense of purpose, honesty and genuineness, leadership, perspective wisdom and discretion. These psychological strengths have enhanced my character and improved my personal, professional and education life. Due to these strengths, the quality of my relationships has improved. In addition, I am more positive and focused; it has improved my quality of life and well-being and has reduced my fear of unknown. One method of measuring psychological strengths is the use of VIA Survey. This method allow an individual identify the signature strengths. The development of psychological strengths can be done through engagement in positive psychology exercises. References Gillham, J., Adams-Deutsch, Z., Werner, J., Reivich, K., Coulter-Heindl, V., Linkins, M., Winder, B., & Seligman MEP. (2011). Character strengths predict subjective well-being during adolescence The Journal of Positive Psychology, 6, 31-44 DOI: 10.1080/17439760.2010.536773 Joseph, S., & Wood, A.M. (2010). Assessment of positive functioning in clinical psychology: Theoretical and practical issues. Clinical Psychology Review, 30, 830–838. Park, N., & Peterson, C. (2006). Character Strengths and happiness among young children: Content analysis of parental descriptions Journal of Happiness Studies, 7, 323-341 DOI: 10.1007/s10902-005-3648-6 Park, N., & Peterson, C. (2009). Strengths of Character in Schools. In R. Gilman, E. S. Huebner & M. J. Furlong (Eds.), Handbook of positive psychology in schools (65-75). New York, NY: Taylor & Francis. Park, N., Peterson, C., & Seligman, MEP. (2004). Strengths of character and well-being Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 23, 603-619 DOI: 10.1521/jscp.23.5.603.50748 Peterson, & Seligman, M.E.P. (2004). Character Strengths and Virtues: A Handbook and Classification. Washington, D.C.: APA Press and Oxford University Press. Read More

There exists a research-based survey that has the ability to allow people to identify their personal psychological strengths. The VIA survey is considered a valid and reliable psychological test that can be used to assess an individual’s character strengths (Peterson, & Seligman, 2004). When an individual completes a VIA Survey, he or she will receive results of the survey which will offer a list of the 24 character strengths from their highest to lowest. The VIA Survey is made up of a 240-item self-report questionnaire that is intended to measure psychological strengths (Peterson, Christopher, and Seligman, 2004).

The survey utilizes 5-point Likert-style items to assess the level at which respondents to the questionnaire ratify items addressing the 24 strengths of character in the VIA classification (Peterson, & Seligman, 2004). The questionnaire takes approximately 25 minutes to finish. It can measure the psychological strengths of an individual. The initial psychometrics was conducted on two brief versions of a full-length VIA Survey of 240 questions. It was developed by statistically selecting 5 questions from the original 10 questions.

The VIA results indicated that my VIA-120 of leadership and prudence was 0.69 and 0.78 respectively. These results showed that my level of leadership and prudence enabled me to understand and identify my character strengths and has enabled me to use the information to lead a thriving life (Peterson, & Seligman, 2004).My personal-psychological strengths have impacted some aspects of my daily life. Psychological strengths are considered positive measures of personality that influence how I feel, think and behave (Park & Peterson, 2006).

I can say that they are the reason for me being my best self. When these psychological strengths are applied effectively, they bring about benefits to one and others. Psychological strengths are linked to positive emotions as well as life satisfaction (Park, Peterson & Seligman, 2004). These strengths have enabled me to excel in my social, professional, and personal life. For instance, my self-esteem has increased immensely in my private and work life.Research has shown that people who make use of their psychological strengths are likely to be more engaged and happier in their homes and work (Joseph & Wood, 2010).

Personally, I have an internal sense of control. This is a form of strength these strengths have enabled me to have a positive perception at work and therefore have allowed me to be confident in pursuing my dreams, goals, and objectives. My sense of purpose has given me coherent focus and motivation to be myself and avoid fear. I am happier and take life as it comes.My perceptive wisdom and caution have enabled me to buffer against challenges and overcome problems in my personal life. With the wisdom that I possess, I can manage challenges and defies them.

My professional and personal relationships have improved due to the effective application of my psychological strengths. Psychological strengths have enabled me to acquire effective communication skills to build a good relationship with people (Peterson, & Seligman, 2004). The quality of relationships may be enhanced by improving the way one decode or encode body language (Park and Peterson, 2006). The way people respond to another people nonverbally can express that he or she understands and care and will, in the long run, improve their relationship.

Due to the virtue of leadership that I possess, I can communicate well and understand people’s opinions. Leadership, honesty, and genuineness have allowed me to be trusted by people and therefore have contributed to my ability to form long-term relationships.Besides, my personal psychological strengths have enabled me to enhance my health and well-being. The combination of my strengths brings about a substantial framework based on goal attainment and overall well-being (Gillham et al., 2011).

For instance, my strength in the use of knowledge helped me attain my educational goal from one level to the other successfully. This is a result of life satisfaction, abundant positive emotions, and few negative emotions.

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