Psychology｜The secret to improving happiness in life: Know and use your "character strengths"

In recent years, many personality tests and psychological tests have become popular on the Internet. Everyone likes to use these tests to learn more about themselves. Have you ever thought about using the results of personality tests to make your life happier?

Positive psychology is an emerging field of psychology. One of the important concepts is "character strengths". Passing the VIA personal strengths test can help everyone understand their own personality strengths. Director of the Master of Arts in Positive Educational Psychology, The Education University of Hong Kong Dr. Wang Zhenlin pointed out that after we understand our character strengths, we can give full play to our outstanding strengths in work, daily life, family life and other aspects, so that we can more easily feel real happiness and enhance the happiness of life.

What are the character strengths?

Character strengths were put forward by Martin Seligman, the father of positive psychology. By studying the cultural classics of various countries, he summed up six universal virtues, including "kindness", "wisdom and knowledge", "courage", "Temperance", "Spirituality and Transcendence" and "Righteousness", and extend from more abstract "virtue" to specific "character strengths", although everyone's "best" personality strengths are different, but more or less Both have 24 personality strengths, such as bravery, kindness, creativity, sense of humor and fairness. These positive traits are also the way to help us achieve happiness.

Everyone has more or less 24 personality strengths, and these positive traits are also the way to help us achieve happiness.

Make good use of character strengths to help solve problems and get out of trouble

"Personality affects how we think, feel, and how we get along with others, and character strengths are not only part of our character, but also our positive traits. Positive psychology emphasizes the positive effects of character strengths on us. Many Studies have pointed out that as long as we make good use of our character strengths in our lives, we can improve our interpersonal relationships and careers, and our happiness in life will also increase.” Dr. Wang continued that the recent epidemic has made the public’s mental health much better. It will be affected to some extent, but if you understand your "best" personality strengths, and then make good use of coping, you can reduce tension and anxiety, and help solve problems. She pointed out: "For example, your personality strength is 'curiosity', You will take the initiative to learn more about epidemic-related information, medical research, etc., thereby reducing psychological uncertainty and anxiety; We can also be grateful that because of working from home, we spend more time with family members and think about the good. No matter what kind of personality strengths are, we can make good use of them to help us face the difficulties caused by the epidemic more positively. "

Therefore, no matter in the face of different problems and situations, after understanding your character strengths, you can reflect on what your strengths are best, and how you can use your character strengths to deal with them. Using your character strengths can help us in our daily life. Generate positive emotions, boost self-confidence, and feel fulfilled.

At the same time, knowing other people's character strengths can also help us understand why each other handles problems differently, so that we can better accept and respect others, and interpersonal conflicts can be reduced.

Knowing and exploiting our character strengths enables us to generate positive emotions, enhance self-confidence, and gain satisfaction in our daily lives.

Character strengths can be cultivated regardless of age

Many people think that character is innate, but positive psychology believes that character strengths can be shaped and develop throughout life, and even weaker character strengths can be cultivated.

Dr. Wang gave an example: "In the United States in 2001, the 9/11 incident occurred. Psychologists passed the VIA Personal Strength Test 2 months after the incident to study whether the personality strengths of Americans had changed. People's 7 character strengths have been significantly enhanced, namely "gratitude", "hope", "kindness", "leadership", "love", "spirituality" and "team spirit", even after 10 incidents Months later, these character strengths are still strengthening, and it is believed that events have awakened these positive traits in people, which shows that character strengths can be continuously shaped.”

In recent years, kindergartens, primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong have also actively promoted positive education in schools, encouraging children to understand and develop their own character strengths, which will help them develop positive thinking and problem-solving skills. Affects children's character strengths, so parents and teachers should learn how to discover and cultivate children's different character strengths, and try their best to protect their own positive traits. It is not difficult to cultivate children's character strengths, and they can also be used in daily life. For example, for children, concepts such as "forgiveness" and "thankfulness" are difficult to understand. We can simulate the situation through games, and we can also use children's favorite cartoon plots and characters to explain, I believe it will be helpful for their development. It must have a positive impact.” Whether adults or children, as long as they use their character strengths properly, they can accumulate positive experiences, build positive emotions and a sense of happiness. In addition to improving study and work motivation, it can also help us live a better life. self.

Dr. Wang Zhenlin, Director of the Master of Arts in Positive Educational Psychology at the Education University of Hong Kong, said that character strengths can be shaped, and cultivating children's character strengths can also be done in daily life.

The Master of Arts in Positive Educational Psychology at The Education University of Hong Kong combines positive psychology and positive education to help students apply positive psychology to education. " and "Parenting and Children's Heart Development", etc., combining theory and practice, after completing the "Mental Health First Aid Course (Care for Teens)", students can become qualified youth mental health first aiders.

The Education University of Hong Kong Master of Arts in Positive Educational Psychology

Enquiry: mappe@eduhk.hk

Course URL: https://bit.ly/39lRhWg

(Information and photos provided by customers)