The Golden Mean Inventory: A New Approach to Studying Character Strengths Imbalances Across Contexts

We introduce a new instrument called the Golden Mean Inventory (GMI). Founded on the proposition that the evaluation of underuse or overuse of character strengths represents an important extension of the understanding and applied use of character strength concepts, the GMI was developed as a 72-item instrument addressing underuse/‌optimal use/‌overuse in each of the 24 VIA character strengths in three contexts: work/‌school, relationships, and goal pursuit. Four a priori hypotheses were largely supported. Relationships with demographic variables were generally negligible. We envision a number of benefits from the GMI, including a model that effectively integrates concepts of positive and negative functioning, idiographic assessment appropriate for applied settings, and context-specific patterns of strengths use. The evidence provided here raises important questions about whether high scores on measures of positive functioning combine individuals who are operating in a highly effective manner with others who are demonstrating “too much of a good thing.

Representative Sampling of the VIA Assessment Suite for Adults

Character strengths have become a popular topic in personality research. A set of questionnaires has recently been developed as measures of character strengths: the VIA Inventory of Strengths-Revised, two 96-item short forms of that instrument, and two new measures called the Global Assessment of Character Strengths and Signature Strengths Survey. Collectively, these are referred to as the VIA Assessment Suite for Adults. Prior research has supported the reliability and validity of these measures. The current study extended those findings through a demographically stratified sample of 1,765 U.S. resident adults. Results indicated the scores were interchangeable across all three versions of the VIA-IS, irrespective of whether the items are all positively keyed or a mix of positive and negative items. In addition, the VIA-IS-R factor structure is also consistent with a previously identified three-factor model for the strengths. By freeing residual covariances, a model was developed for which adequate fit was replicable. This provided the foundation for demonstrating measurement invariance. The present study also explored differences in strengths across demographic categories and evaluated various approaches to identifying key (signature) strengths for the respondents. Recommendations on the use of the different instruments are provided

Preliminary Evidence for Virtue as a Cue to Long-Term Mate Value

Selecting a long-term romantic partner is largely contingent upon identifying behavioral repertoires indicating an ability to foster individual and communal flourishing through benevolence and relational fidelity. Within this suite of socially desirable traits are virtues that could be critical in selecting long-term mates. The current program of research presents two studies investigating the extent people select mates embodying virtue. Study 1 tasked participants with indicating the desirability of prospective mates espousing high and low levels of three forms of virtue outlined through the VIA Classification: caring, self-control, and inquisitiveness. High levels of virtue were especially desirable for long-term mating, with the preference for self-control being largest. Study 2 considered dispositional preferences for long-term mating, as indexed through restricted sociosexuality, with sociosexually restricted individuals reporting aversion to prospective mates exhibiting low self-control. We frame results through an evolutionary context and recommend future research to understand the adaptive function of virtue