In social psychology, emphasis is placed on universal situational influences.

Equally important to understanding heroism are the individual traits that may or should lead to heroic behavior, many of which are elegantly captured within the framework of character strengths and virtues in positive psychology.

Six Categories of Virtue

Emanating from the analyses of human virtues (the ancient “cardinal virtues” as well as modern theories as expressed by “positive psychologists” such as Martin Seligman) is a set of six major categories of virtuous behavior that enjoy almost universal recognition across cultures.

The classification includes:

• Wisdom and Knowledge;
• Courage;
• Humanity;
• Justice;
• Temperance;
• Transcendence.

Of these, Courage, Justice, and Transcendence comprise the central characteristics of heroism. Transcendence includes beliefs and actions that go beyond the limits of self.

Learn more about the character strengths and virtues of Courage and Justice.