Finding the golden mean: the overuse, underuse, and optimal use of character strengths

ABSTRACT

The science of well-being has catalyzed a tremendous amount of research with no area more robust in application and impact than the science of character strengths. As the empirical links between character strengths and positive outcomes rapidly grow, the research around strength imbalances and the use of strengths with problems and conflicts is nascent. The use of character strengths in understanding and handling life suffering as well as emerging from it, is particularly aligned within second wave positive psychology. Areas of particular promise include strengths overuse and strengths underuse, alongside its companion of strengths optimal use. The latter is viewed as the golden mean of character strengths which refers to the expression of the right combination of strengths, to the right degree, and in the right situation. This paper discusses these constructs, maps out each across 24 universal character strengths, and deliberates on reasons for overuse and underuse. Practical strategies for counselors to support clients in the pursuit of optimal strengths use and the management of overuse and underuse are outlined. These include thoughts on wise interventions, the tempering effect, the towing effect, direct questioning, mindfulness, strengths-spotting, the use of a leading strengths model (aware-explore-apply), and eliciting feedback from others.

KEYWORDS:

• Character strengths
• strengths overuse
• strengths underuse
• optimal use
• second wave positive psychology
• golden mean

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ryan M. Niemiec

Ryan M. Niemiec, Psy.D. is a leading figure in the education, research, and practice of character strengths that are found in all human beings. He’s education director of the VIA Institute on Character, a global, non-profit organization in Cincinnati that advances the latest science of character strengths. Ryan is author of nine books including the practitioner-focused books, Character Strengths Interventions, Mindfulness and Character Strengths, and Positive Psychology at the Movies, as well as the consumer-oriented books The Power of Character Strengths and The Strengths-Based Workbook for Stress Relief. He’s penned 80 scholarly or peer-reviewed articles and given over 700 presentations on positive psychology topics across the globe. He’s an award-winning psychologist, annual instructor at the University of Pennsylvania, and adjunct professor at Xavier University. Ryan received a “distinguished early career award” from the American Psychological Association in 2011, and was granted Fellow status of the International Positive Psychology Association in 2017.