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    VIA Institute on Character

    The VIA Institute on Character helps people change their lives by tapping into the power of their own greatest strengths. Established as non-profit organization in 2001, they set out – and continue to – advance both the science and practice of character, and empower those on their strengths-building journey.

    Author/ source: VIA Institute on Character

    Last updated: 03/11/2025

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    VIA Institute on Character

    About the VIA Institute on Character

    The VIA Institute on Character is a non-profit organisation based in Cincinnati, Ohio, dedicated to bringing the science of character strengths to the world. It does so by creating and validating surveys of character, supporting researchers, and developing practical strengths-based tools for individuals and professionals such as therapists, managers and educators.

    The Institute began with the question: "what is best in people?" and a belief in the universality of character strengths in each of us, across cultures, religions, beliefs and races. Its work is grounded in positive psychology and the foundational research led by Christopher Peterson and Martin Seligman in the early 2000s, which produced the landmark Character Strengths and Virtues: A Handbook and Classification and identified 24 universal character strengths. 

    While "VIA" originally stood for Values in Action, today it represents the link between research and practice.

    The VIA Survey: Purpose and Function

    The VIA Survey is the centrepiece of the Institute's work. It is a psychometrically validated personality test that measures an individual's character strengths. When you discover your greatest strengths, you can use them to face life's challenges, work toward goals, and feel more fulfilled both personally and professionally. VIA Institute

    Key features:

    • Free and globally accessible: offered worldwide in many languages at no cost

    • Scientifically validated:  the only scientifically validated character strengths assessment

    • Widely used: nearly 35 million people have taken it

    • Two versions:  one for adults (VIA Inventory of Strengths) and one for young people (VIA Youth Survey)

    The survey produces a personalised ranking of all 24 character strengths, distinguishing between signature strengths (those most natural to the individual), phasic strengths (which emerge in specific situations), and lesser strengths.

    The purpose is to help people identify and apply their strengths to improve relationships, enhance health and overall wellbeing, and buffer against, manage and overcome problems.

    Resource Overview

    The VIA Institute on Character offers a wide range of resources to help individuals and professionals discover, understand, and apply their character strengths. Resources span free tools, in-depth reports, and structured learning pathways.

    Free Resources

    The foundation of the Institute's offering is free and globally accessible:

    • The VIA Survey:  a scientifically validated character strengths assessment available in many languages at no cost. Versions exist for both adults (VIA Inventory of Strengths) and young people (VIA Youth Survey). On completion, users receive a personalised ranking of all 24 character strengths.

    • Activities page: downloadable PDF resources for applying strengths in everyday life.

    • Articles, blogs, and FAQs:  covering topics such as strengths at work, mindfulness, relationships, education, and habit-building.

    • Videos:  short explainers on the science of character strengths and their practical application.

    • Research library:  publications advancing the evidence base on character strengths.

    Reports

    For users seeking deeper insights beyond their free survey results, VIA offers a suite of paid reports:

    • Top 5 Report:  highlights the user's five signature strengths and provides an accessible starting point for personal growth.

    • Total 24 Report:  a comprehensive profile of all 24 strengths, with personalised development tips and strategies for daily application.

    • Specialised Reports:  tailored options for specific goals such as work, leadership, relationships, and wellbeing.

    • Pro Dashboard:  designed for coaches and practitioners to manage client assessments and integrate strengths-based strategies into their practice.

    Learning and Development

    VIA provides structured opportunities for those wanting to go further:

    • Courses and books:  self-paced learning on applying character strengths across life domains.

    • Webinars and workshops:  including customised sessions for organisations, with popular topics such as positive relationships, remote work, mindfulness, and embracing change.

    • Individual coaching:  one-to-one sessions with certified VIA coaches to develop strategies for using strengths to achieve personal and professional goals.

    • Character Strengths Certification:  a structured three-month program combining live Zoom sessions with applied "Bridge Work," designed for professionals seeking to embed a strengths-based approach in their practice.

    Together, these resources support a clear pathway: discover your strengths for free, deepen your understanding through reports, and build sustained capability through learning and development.

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    This lesson plan introduces students to the VIA Character Strengths framework and supports them to recognise their own strengths, understand how these strengths show up in everyday life, and learn how to apply them in goal-setting, teamwork and personal development. It draws on positive psychology principles and is mapped to the Australian Curriculum. Author/ source: PESA
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    VIA Institute on Character
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    VIA Institute on Character
    The VIA Institute on Character helps people change their lives by tapping into the power of their own greatest strengths. Established as non-profit organization in 2001, they set out – and continue to – advance both the science and practice of character, and empower those on their strengths-building journey. Author/ source: VIA Institute on Character
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    Youth Resilience Doughnut: Score your resilience worksheet
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    Youth Resilience Doughnut: Score your resilience worksheet
    This powerful tool highlights to the student the factors that contribute to their internal resilience. This worksheet is for secondary and tertiary students to self assess and score their resilience. Author/Source: Generously provided by Dr Lyn Worsley of The Resilience Centre
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    VIA Character Strength Posters
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    VIA Character Strength Posters
    Downloadable and printable 24 VIA Character Strength posters to be displayed in classrooms, schools, staff rooms and more! Format: A4 landscape Author/Source: PESA
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    Breaking through difficulties through the understanding the nuances of strengths use
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    Breaking through difficulties through the understanding the nuances of strengths use
    Dr Ryan Niemiec explores the overuse, underuse, and optimal use of character strengths introducing the concept of ‘finding the golden mean’. We know using our strengths can assist our wellbeing and research is continuing into how overuse can create new problems, while underuse might prevent someone from fully overcoming difficulties. The concept of strengths "imbalance" encourages a balanced approach to personal growth and problem-solving.
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    Character Strengths Activity (Years 7-10)
    Character Strengths Activity (Years 7-10)
    This lesson plan introduces students to the VIA Character Strengths framework and supports them to recognise their own strengths, understand how these strengths show up in everyday life, and learn how to apply them in goal-setting, teamwork and personal development. It draws on positive psychology principles and is mapped to the Australian Curriculum. Author/ source: PESA
    Worksheet
    VIA Institute on Character
    VIA Institute on Character
    The VIA Institute on Character helps people change their lives by tapping into the power of their own greatest strengths. Established as non-profit organization in 2001, they set out – and continue to – advance both the science and practice of character, and empower those on their strengths-building journey. Author/ source: VIA Institute on Character
    Website Survey
    Youth Resilience Doughnut: Score your resilience worksheet
    Youth Resilience Doughnut: Score your resilience worksheet
    This powerful tool highlights to the student the factors that contribute to their internal resilience. This worksheet is for secondary and tertiary students to self assess and score their resilience. Author/Source: Generously provided by Dr Lyn Worsley of The Resilience Centre
    Worksheet Survey
    VIA Character Strength Posters
    VIA Character Strength Posters
    Downloadable and printable 24 VIA Character Strength posters to be displayed in classrooms, schools, staff rooms and more! Format: A4 landscape Author/Source: PESA
    Display
    Breaking through difficulties through the understanding the nuances of strengths use
    Breaking through difficulties through the understanding the nuances of strengths use
    Dr Ryan Niemiec explores the overuse, underuse, and optimal use of character strengths introducing the concept of ‘finding the golden mean’. We know using our strengths can assist our wellbeing and research is continuing into how overuse can create new problems, while underuse might prevent someone from fully overcoming difficulties. The concept of strengths "imbalance" encourages a balanced approach to personal growth and problem-solving.
    Webinar/Video In Development
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