instrument · all tools
VIA Character Strengths Survey
A free, psychometrically validated self-assessment (~15 minutes, after registration) ranking 24 character strengths across six virtues. The ranked profile becomes material for reflection and strengths-based development — spotting signature strengths, planning their deliberate use, and appreciating strengths in others.
- A ranked list invites 'weakness' reading — frame lower ranks as lesser-used strengths, not deficits
- In team settings, sharing profiles must be optional
Practical
- Time
- 10-15 min + 30 landing
- Group
- 1–∞ · individual, small-group
- Settings
- self-guided, online
- Materials
- Device with internet; free account
- Mechanisms
- feedback-mirroring, values-clarification
- Change scope
- state · one-off
Instructions
- Where
- viacharacter.org/survey/account/register — VIA Character Strengths Survey, registration
- Availability
- Open online — published at the link, free to read
Source link not checkable automatically — the site's robots file declines automated checks
This directory describes and points home; the instructions stay with the people who made them.
Origin
Christopher Peterson & Martin Seligman (VIA classification, 2004); VIA Institute on Character — Positive psychology
In this directory via VIA Character Strengths Survey
An assessment used developmentally: the instrument itself yields an insight state; development comes from the follow-on practices (e.g., "use a signature strength in a new way" exercises), which are separate tools.
status: checked · added 2026-08-25