The Emerging Science of Virtue

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Ethics
• Virtue Science

Background:

• Scholars recognize the importance of virtues in human psychology and behavior.
• Existing virtue research faces theoretical and methodological challenges, hindering its scientific maturity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address challenges in virtue research by clarifying its links to prosocial behavior, positive psychology, and personality psychology.
• To propose the STRIVE-4 model to resolve theoretical and methodological issues and foster a mature science of virtue.

Main Methods:

• The STRIVE-4 model is proposed, defining virtues as empirically verifiable, acquired scalar traits.
• The model incorporates role sensitivity, Situation × Trait interactions, and values contributing to eudaimonia.
• It outlines four components of virtue traits: knowledge, behavior, emotion/motivation, and disposition.

Main Results:

• The STRIVE-4 model generates 26 testable hypotheses.
• Extant research across various methods (survey, longitudinal, experimental, neuroscientific) is discussed in relation to the model.
• The framework unifies existing research and guides future empirical investigation.

Conclusions:

• The STRIVE-4 model offers a robust framework for understanding and researching virtues.
• It facilitates a more scientifically rigorous approach to studying virtues and their role in human flourishing.
• The model encourages future research by highlighting assessed and unassessed aspects of virtue science.