James Fitzgerald Therapy PLLC

At the Intersection of Values & Beliefs

The intersection of character strengths and virtues with an individual’s values and beliefs forms the cornerstone of personal identity, behavior, and psychological well-being. Character strengths, as described by Peterson and Seligman (2004), represent innate or cultivated positive traits—such as creativity, kindness, courage, fairness, and gratitude—that guide individuals toward morally and socially desirable actions. Virtues, on the other hand, are broader categories or clusters of these strengths, recognized universally across cultures, reflecting enduring ideals such as wisdom, courage, humanity, justice, temperance, and transcendence. When these virtues and strengths align closely with an individual’s deeply held values and beliefs, a profound congruence emerges, promoting a heightened sense of authenticity, fulfillment, and life satisfaction.

Values are deeply ingrained principles and priorities that guide a person’s judgments, behaviors, and decisions. They are typically shaped by factors including culture, upbringing, life experiences, relationships, spirituality, and societal context. Beliefs, meanwhile, represent convictions or assumptions held by individuals about reality, morality, spirituality, and personal identity. Together, values and beliefs act as lenses through which people interpret and interact with the world, informing decisions and motivating actions. The intersection with character strengths and virtues is evident when an individual’s expressed character strengths become vehicles for embodying their values and manifesting their beliefs into meaningful actions.

When character strengths and virtues are congruent with a person’s core values and beliefs, several beneficial psychological and social outcomes occur. For example, an individual who values kindness and compassion and holds the belief that human connection is essential for fulfillment will naturally exhibit and nurture character strengths such as kindness, empathy, and social intelligence. This alignment produces internal harmony and reduces psychological conflict, thereby enhancing emotional well-being, resilience, and a sense of purpose. According to research by Peterson and Park (2009), this congruence helps people find deeper meaning in their lives, experience greater subjective well-being, and cultivate more positive interpersonal relationships.

Conversely, when character strengths and virtues conflict with personal values and beliefs, individuals often experience internal tension, cognitive dissonance, and psychological distress. For instance, a person who deeply values fairness and social justice may feel considerable discomfort when working in an environment where these virtues are regularly compromised. Over time, this incongruence may erode their emotional health, motivation, and sense of self-worth. Thus, recognizing such conflicts and actively working to align personal values, beliefs, and strengths becomes crucial in therapeutic or coaching interventions aiming at improving psychological health.

Furthermore, an individual’s beliefs—particularly spiritual or philosophical beliefs—often play an influential role in shaping how character strengths are expressed. Spiritual or religious beliefs may emphasize virtues like humility, gratitude, and transcendence, guiding individuals toward behaviors consistent with spiritual growth and community interconnectedness. For instance, someone deeply committed to Buddhism may intentionally cultivate mindfulness, compassion, and equanimity, aligning their daily actions and character strengths with their spiritual beliefs. This purposeful cultivation deepens one’s spiritual practice while concurrently enhancing psychological well-being, as evidenced by research highlighting correlations between spirituality, virtue alignment, and life satisfaction (Niemiec, 2014).

Understanding the intersection between character strengths, virtues, values, and beliefs also provides valuable insights for therapeutic practices and coaching strategies. Counselors, therapists, and coaches often employ strengths-based approaches, actively helping clients identify, explore, and consciously utilize their core character strengths in alignment with their values and beliefs. Through interventions such as values clarification exercises, strengths-based assessments, and narrative therapy, individuals can explore and articulate the connections between their strengths and their deeper sense of self. When individuals perceive their behaviors and actions as genuine reflections of their true selves and deeply held beliefs, they are more likely to experience sustained personal growth, enhanced resilience, and greater emotional well-being.

In summary, the integration of character strengths and virtues with values and beliefs significantly impacts psychological health, emotional resilience, life satisfaction, and interpersonal relationships. When these elements harmonize, they create coherence and authenticity, promoting an individual’s overall psychological flourishing. Conversely, misalignment can lead to inner conflicts and distress. Thus, fostering awareness of this intersection becomes a crucial aspect of mental health counseling, coaching, and educational settings, allowing individuals to cultivate their strengths intentionally, authentically embody their values, and realize their full potential.

References:

• Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Character strengths and virtues: A handbook and classification. Oxford University Press.
• Peterson, C., & Park, N. (2009). Classifying and measuring strengths of character. In S. J. Lopez & C. R. Snyder (Eds.), Oxford Handbook of Positive Psychology (2nd ed., pp. 25-33). Oxford University Press.
• Niemiec, R. M. (2014). Mindfulness and Character Strengths: A Practical Guide to Flourishing. Hogrefe Publishing.