VIA Survey vs. Strengths Test: A Deep Dive into Two Leading Strengths Assessments

Choosing the right strengths assessment is crucial for effective personal and professional development. Two prominent assessments dominate the field: the VIA Survey of Character Strengths (often called the "VIA Survey") and StrengthsFinder. While both aim to identify and leverage individual strengths, they differ significantly in their theoretical underpinnings, methodologies, and intended applications. This article provides a rigorous, research-backed comparison of the VIA Survey and Strengths Finder, examining their core principles, strengths, limitations, and practical uses, enabling you to make an informed decision about which assessment best suits your needs.

Understanding the VIA Survey of Character Strengths: A Foundation in Virtue

The VIA Survey of Character Strengths was developed by Drs. Martin Seligman and Christopher Peterson as a free, self-report questionnaire that measures 24 character strengths. It emerged from the field of positive psychology, a branch of psychology that focuses on understanding and promoting human flourishing, well-being, and optimal functioning (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000). Unlike traditional psychology, which often focuses on pathology and dysfunction, positive psychology seeks to identify and cultivate the factors that contribute to a fulfilling and meaningful life.

Key Features of the VIA Survey:

• Focus: Identifies and measures 24 universally valued character strengths, categorized under six core virtues: Wisdom, Courage, Humanity, Justice, Temperance, and Transcendence (Peterson & Seligman, 2004). The emphasis is on moral and virtuous characteristics that contribute to individual and societal well-being.

• Methodology: A self-report questionnaire where individuals rate their agreement with statements related to each character strength using a Likert-type scale (e.g., "Very much like me" to "Very much unlike me"). The items are designed to assess the manifestation of these strengths in everyday life (Peterson & Seligman, 2004).

• Output: A ranked list of all 24 character strengths, from the most prominent ("signature strengths") to the least prominent. The report provides descriptions of each strength and suggestions for how to cultivate them.

• Cost: Free. The full report is $19 USD.

• Theoretical Foundation: Positive psychology; a focus on identifying and cultivating universal human virtues and character strengths that contribute to well-being and flourishing (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000).

• Emphasis: Moral and virtuous characteristics that are considered universally desirable across cultures.

• Number of Strengths: 24

The 24 VIA Character Strengths:

The VIA Classification identifies 24 character strengths, organized under six broad virtues (Peterson & Seligman, 2004):

Wisdom & Knowledge

These strengths reflect cognitive capabilities and the acquisition of knowledge. People strong in this domain tend to be curious about the world around them and actively seek out new experiences and learning opportunities. They often approach problems from multiple angles and serve as trusted advisors to others due to their deep insights and balanced perspective.

Creativity | Curiosity | Judgment | Love of Learning | Perspective

Courage

These strengths involve exercising will to accomplish goals in the face of opposition. Individuals who excel in courage face challenges head-on and stay true to their values even when it's difficult. They approach life with energy and enthusiasm, persisting through obstacles while maintaining their integrity and authenticity.

Bravery | Perseverance | Honesty | Zest

Humanity

These strengths manifest in caring relationships with others. People strong in humanity excel at forming deep, meaningful connections and show genuine concern for others' well-being. They have an intuitive understanding of emotions and social dynamics, using their interpersonal skills to nurture and strengthen relationships.

Love | Kindness | Social Intelligence

Justice

These strengths underlie healthy community life. Those who excel in justice-oriented strengths are natural community builders who promote cooperation and fair treatment for all. They understand how to bring people together effectively and often take on responsibilities that benefit the greater good of their groups and organizations.

Teamwork | Fairness | Leadership

Temperance

These strengths protect against excess and facilitate expressing appropriate emotions. People strong in temperance excel at self-management and maintaining balance in their lives. They approach situations with careful consideration, forgive readily, and demonstrate emotional intelligence in managing their responses to life's challenges.

Forgiveness | Humility | Prudence | Self-Regulation

Transcendence

These strengths forge connections to the larger universe and provide meaning. Those who excel in transcendence find deep purpose in life and often inspire others with their ability to see beauty and possibility in all circumstances. They maintain optimism while acknowledging life's challenges and help others connect to something greater than themselves.

Appreciation of Beauty | Gratitude | Hope | Humor | Spirituality

Applications of the VIA Survey:

• Personal Development: Identifying and cultivating your signature strengths can lead to increased well-being, life satisfaction, and a sense of meaning and purpose (Park, Peterson, & Seligman, 2004). Studies show that using your signature strengths in new ways can significantly increase happiness and decrease depressive symptoms (Seligman et al., 2005).

• Education: Educators can integrate the VIA Survey into classrooms to help students recognize and develop their strengths, fostering greater engagement and motivation (Quinlan et al., 2015).

• Coaching and Counseling: Therapists and coaches utilize the VIA Survey to help clients build on their strengths to overcome challenges, promoting resilience and personal growth (Linley & Harrington, 2006).

• Positive Psychology Interventions: The VIA Survey serves as a foundation for well-being interventions that encourage individuals to apply their strengths in everyday life to boost happiness and overall life satisfaction.

Research Supporting the VIA Survey:

The VIA Classification and Survey have been extensively researched, demonstrating validity and reliability across diverse populations and cultures (Park & Peterson, 2006; McGrath, 2014). Studies highlight that:

• The VIA Survey has good internal consistency and test-retest reliability.

• The 24 character strengths are largely universal across cultures.

• Strengths are positively associated with life satisfaction, work engagement, and even physical health.

Strengths Test

Strengths Test is a research backed assessment across 5 dimensions and 38 strengths. Learn more about it in detail here.

Applications of Strengths Test:

• Workplace Performance: Organizations use Strengths Test to improve employee engagement, productivity, and team performance by aligning individuals' roles and responsibilities with their talents (Asplund et al., 2007). Companies that invest in strengths-based development often report significant improvements in employee performance and retention.

• Team Building: Understanding team members' strengths fosters better collaboration and communication. By knowing who excels in which areas, teams can distribute tasks more effectively and leverage each member's unique contributions.

• Leadership Development: Strengths Test helps leaders identify and develop their own leadership strengths, as well as those of their team members. This allows for a more tailored and effective leadership approach.

• Career Development: Individuals can use Strengths Test results to make more informed career choices and identify roles where they are likely to thrive, leading to greater job satisfaction and career success.

Research Supporting Strengths Test:

While the initial research on Strengths Test was primarily conducted internally by Gallup, subsequent studies have provided further support for the strengths-based approach:

• Increased Engagement and Productivity: Employees who use their strengths at work are more engaged, productive, and less likely to leave their jobs (Buckingham & Clifton, 2001; Rath & Conchie, 2008).

• Improved Well-being: Focusing on strengths has been linked to increased well-being, positive emotions, and life satisfaction (Harter et al., 2009).

• Team Performance: Teams that focus on strengths perform better than those that focus on weaknesses (Asplund et al., 2007).

However, some academics have raised concerns about the psychometric properties of Strengths Test, particularly regarding its forced-choice format and proprietary nature. Despite these critiques, the strengths-based approach it promotes—focusing on what people do well—has substantial support in the broader field of positive psychology.

The Strengths Assessment is also explained in detail here.

Key Differences: VIA Survey vs. Strengths Test

Character vs. Talent: The VIA Survey focuses on character strengths, which are considered morally valued traits (e.g., kindness, fairness, honesty). These are seen as virtues that contribute to individual and societal well-being. Strengths Test, on the other hand, focuses on talents, which are defined as naturally recurring patterns of thought, feeling, and behaving (e.g., achieving, relating, strategizing). These talents are not inherently moral but can be applied productively in various contexts.

• Scope: The VIA Survey has a broader scope, encompassing strengths relevant to various life domains (personal, social, professional, civic). Strengths Test is more specifically focused on workplace applications, although the insights can be applied more broadly.

• Universality vs. Individuality: The VIA Survey emphasizes universal virtues, suggesting that all 24 character strengths are valuable and worth developing in everyone. It provides a framework for cultivating a well-rounded character. Strengths Test emphasizes individual uniqueness, focusing on developing an individual's top talent themes. The philosophy is that individuals achieve the greatest success by leveraging their natural talents, rather than trying to become proficient in all areas.

• Measurement: The VIA Survey uses a Likert-type scale where individuals rate their agreement with statements. Strengths Test uses a forced-choice format, where individuals must choose between two statements, even if neither perfectly describes them. This format is designed to reveal underlying preferences and minimize social desirability bias.

• Cost: Both are free, with a paid report option.

• Emphasis on Development: While both advocate for strengths development, the approach differs. VIA encourages the cultivation of all character strengths, with a focus on the "signature strengths." Strengths Test advocates for a more laser-focused approach, concentrating primarily on the top talent themes, where the greatest potential for growth and excellence lies.

Choosing the Right Assessment: Which is Best for You?

The best assessment for you depends on your goals and context. Here are some guiding questions:

• What is your primary goal? Are you seeking overall personal growth and well-being, or are you primarily focused on improving your performance at work?

• What is your budget? The VIA Survey is free, while Strengths Test requires a purchase.

• What kind of report are you looking for? The VIA Survey provides a ranked list of all 24 character strengths. Strengths Test offers a more detailed, personalized report focusing on your top talent themes.

• What is your context The VIA Survey is great for overall life, whereas Strengths Test is often used more for workplace applications.

Choose the VIA Survey if:

• You're primarily interested in personal development, increasing your overall well-being, and cultivating virtuous character traits.

• You want a free and accessible assessment that provides a broad overview of your character strengths.

• You want to explore a wide range of strengths relevant to various aspects of your life (personal, social, professional).

• You want to work on developing all your strengths, to some degree.

Choose Strengths Test if:

• You're primarily focused on improving workplace performance, career development, and team dynamics.

• You want a detailed, personalized report with actionable strategies tailored to your top talent themes.

• You're working within an organizational context that already uses or is considering using the Strengths Test framework.

• You prefer a focused approach, concentrating your development efforts on your top talents for maximum impact.

• You're on a team, take the test and share your results with your team.

Can you use both? Absolutely! The VIA Survey and Strengths Test can be complementary tools. The VIA Survey can provide a broad foundation of character strengths, while Strengths Test can offer more specific insights into your natural talents and how to apply them in a professional context. Using both assessments can provide a more holistic understanding of your strengths profile. The Strengths test was originally the Strengthsfinder by Gallup, but has been updated for the modern workplace, learn about the key differences here.

Unlock your team's full potential! Learn how the VIA Survey and Strengths Test can be used together to foster better communication, collaboration, and overall team performance. Discover how understanding individual strengths creates a stronger, more cohesive team.

Enhance your team's performance with personality insights: Explore Team Packs

Leveraging Strengths for Growth and Fulfillment

Both the VIA Survey of Character Strengths and Strengths Test offer valuable insights into individual strengths. By understanding their differences and choosing the assessment (or combination of assessments) that best aligns with your goals, you can embark on a journey of self-discovery and development, leading to greater well-being, improved relationships, enhanced performance, and a more fulfilling life. You may also be interested in knowing more about the topic, including about the character traits of history's great leaders. Whether you're seeking personal growth, professional advancement, or stronger team dynamics, leveraging your strengths is a powerful strategy for achieving your full potential. Remember to use these assessments as starting points for ongoing growth and development, not as definitive labels.