{"id":680,"date":"2021-07-12T08:18:37","date_gmt":"2021-07-12T16:18:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.sandiego.edu\/character\/?p=680"},"modified":"2021-08-02T08:58:57","modified_gmt":"2021-08-02T16:58:57","slug":"what-is-character","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.sandiego.edu\/character\/blog\/2021\/07\/12\/what-is-character\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Character?"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Ed DeRoche<\/p>\n

Is it Traits, Strengths, Virtues, Values or All of Them?<\/p>\n

I notice, in my research and correspondence, that I keep running into lists of character traits, strengths, virtues, and values.<\/p>\n

I asked myself these three character-related questions: \"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. What is the difference between a \u201cvalue\u201d and \u201cvirtue?\u201d \u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. What do educators\/researchers mean when they talked about character \u201ctraits and strengths.\u201d<\/li>\n
  3. What are some TSVV examples that would give us a \u201cpicture\u201d of what I found and how it \u201cshapes\u201d character education in schools?\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    In summary, I found that Values<\/b> <\/i>are principles or standards that are considered\u00a0 <\/span>important or desirable, while some others may not be desirable or have moral goodness.\u00a0 <\/span>Values are subjective and personal since an individual can decide what is important to him or her. \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Virtues<\/b> are qualities that have high moral value and are considered to be good or desirable in a person.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Traits<\/b>, an expert noted, can be negative or positive and are personal qualities that define one\u2019s personality.\u00a0 <\/span>Positive traits include compassion, empathy, kindness, and courage.\u00a0 <\/span>Negative traits include anger, jealousy, selfishness, and greed. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Then there are Character Strengths<\/b>: \u201cthe good qualities that people possess\u2014a collection of positive traits that show people’s strengths.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

    Here are a few examples of TSVVs:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    2021 Schools of Character<\/i> (edited)<\/i> from Dr. Arthur Schwartz President, Character.org (5-13- 2021), https:\/\/www.character.org\/<\/a>:<\/p>\n

    This year we recognized 38 public schools, 1 public school district, 8 charter schools, and 3 private schools, plus one school is in Brazil and one in Mexico).<\/i>\u00a0 <\/span>Our 2021 National Schools of Character highlighted a <\/i>total of 275 core values<\/i>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

    Here are the top 10 core values cited the most: \u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

    Altogether, <\/i>80 <\/i><\/b>unique core values were cited. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

    In his book, How Children Succeed\u2013Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character<\/i>, author Paul Tough writes that children need to learn these seven character traits to help them achieve their goals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Grit \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n
    2. Curiosity \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n
    3. Self-control\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n
    4. Social\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n
    5. Zest\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n
    6. Optimism \u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n
    7. Gratitude<\/i><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      T. Lickona and M. Davidson, Smart & Good High Schools: Integrating Excellence and Ethics for Success in School, Work, and Beyond<\/i>, lists 8 character strengths <\/b>with descriptors:<\/p>\n

      1. Lifelong learner and critical thinker\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

      2. Diligent and capable performer \u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

      3. Socially and emotionally skilled person \u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

      4. Ethical thinker \u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

      5. Respectful and responsible moral agent<\/i><\/p>\n

      6. Self-disciplined person who pursues a healthy lifestyle<\/i><\/p>\n

      7. Contributing community member and democratic citizen<\/i><\/p>\n

      8. Spiritual person crafting a life of noble purpose<\/i><\/p>\n

      Seligman and Peterson\u2019s book, Character Strengths and Virtues: A Handbook and Classification<\/i>, list 24 widely-valued character strengths<\/b>, organized under six broad virtues:<\/p>\n

      Wisdom and Knowledge
      \n<\/i><\/b>creativity\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>curiosity\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>open-mindedness\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>love of learning\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>perspective<\/i><\/p>\n

      Courage
      \n<\/i><\/b>honesty\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>bravery\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>persistence\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>zest\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

      Humanity
      \n<\/span><\/i><\/b>kindness\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>love\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>social intelligence<\/i><\/p>\n

      Justice
      \n<\/i><\/b>fairness\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>leadership\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>teamwork\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

      Temperance
      \n<\/i><\/b>forgiveness\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>modesty \u00a0 <\/span>prudence\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>self-regulation\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

      Transcendence
      \n<\/span><\/i><\/b>appreciation of beauty and excellence\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>gratitude\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>humor<\/i><\/p>\n

      In the December 2020 posting in Parenting Hub ,author Elise Schiller noted that:\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cKids tend to look up to their parents for a role model and what they want to become once they grow up.<\/i>\u201d \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      She lists and describes these 21 Character Traits<\/b> For Kids and How to Develop Them. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      \"\"<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

      But wait, there\u2019s more!<\/b><\/p>\n

      In the Kent City School District (OH), the plan is to have teachers focus lessons on a particular character trait each month of the school year.\u00a0 <\/span>Each \u201ctrait\u201d is followed by descriptors (see September for example).<\/p>\n

      September \u2013 Work Ethic and Responsibility
      \n<\/span><\/i>Students should<\/i>:\u00a0<\/span><\/i>Attend to task; demonstrate persistence; show best effort.
      \n<\/span><\/i>Be able to carry out a duty and be trustworthy.
      \n<\/span><\/i>Exercise sound thinking and good judgment knowing that they are personally accountable for their actions.<\/i><\/p>\n

      October \u2013 Respect for Self and Others<\/i><\/p>\n

      November \u2013 Compassion<\/i><\/p>\n

      December \u2013 Self-Control<\/i><\/p>\n

      January \u2013 Tolerance<\/i><\/p>\n

      February \u2013 Trustworthiness<\/i><\/p>\n

      March \u2013 Cooperation<\/i><\/p>\n

      April \u2013 Respect for Community\/Environment<\/i><\/p>\n

      May \u2013 Commitment\/Dedication<\/i><\/p>\n

      June \u2013 Fairness\/Justice \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

      The KIPP Schools focus on these character strengths:<\/p>\n