Character Strengths across Cultures: Examining Virtue Differences in Kenyan and American Samples
Session Title
Culture
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Political Science
Abstract
Understanding the development and progression of human character strengths has a direct association with human flourishment and happiness on an individualistic scale. Research suggests that sociocultural factors are more influential to the measure of strength characteristics than biological factors. This research strives to understand any similarities or modifications made to character strengths across cultures by examining an American sample (Winthrop University) and a Kenyan sample (Strathmore University). It is hypothesized that the strength virtues of wisdom, humanity, and justice will be more prevalent in Americans, whereas strength virtues of courage, transcendence, and temperance will be more prevalent in Kenyans. This research further hypothesizes that Americans will feel more overall life satisfaction. A major implication for this research is that existing international and cross-cultural studies do not explore VIA-IS character strengths. A deeper understanding of strength behaviors will inform social efforts directed towards the optimization of characteristics with the biggest positive social influence.
Honors Thesis Committee
Hye-Sung Kim, Ph.D.; Jeffrey Sinn, Ph.D.; Kathleen West, Ph.D.; and Darren Ritzer, Ph.D.
Start Date
24-4-2020 12:00 AM
Character Strengths across Cultures: Examining Virtue Differences in Kenyan and American Samples
Understanding the development and progression of human character strengths has a direct association with human flourishment and happiness on an individualistic scale. Research suggests that sociocultural factors are more influential to the measure of strength characteristics than biological factors. This research strives to understand any similarities or modifications made to character strengths across cultures by examining an American sample (Winthrop University) and a Kenyan sample (Strathmore University). It is hypothesized that the strength virtues of wisdom, humanity, and justice will be more prevalent in Americans, whereas strength virtues of courage, transcendence, and temperance will be more prevalent in Kenyans. This research further hypothesizes that Americans will feel more overall life satisfaction. A major implication for this research is that existing international and cross-cultural studies do not explore VIA-IS character strengths. A deeper understanding of strength behaviors will inform social efforts directed towards the optimization of characteristics with the biggest positive social influence.
