About This Profiling Engine
The VIA Authenticity & Integrity Scale (VIA-Int) is a 9-item educational scoring engine based on the International Personality Item Pool (IPIP) representation of the Values in Action (VIA) character classification system. Developed by Peterson and Seligman (2004), the VIA framework identifies 24 measurable character strengths organized under six core virtues, providing an evidence-based map of positive psychological traits.
This engine measures integrity & authenticity as an academic character strength baseline. You will be presented with 9 statements about your typical behavior and attitudes. Select the level of agreement that most accurately reflects your general patterns. Scores are computed using the validated IPIP-VIA binary forced-choice model and displayed instantly at the end.
All data stays entirely within your browser and is never transmitted or stored externally. This tool is intended for academic self-reflection and research purposes only.
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Educational Recommendation
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Academic Citation
Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Character strengths and virtues: A handbook and classification. American Psychological Association. apa.org/pubs/books/4316018
The Educational Science Behind the VIA-Int Scoring Engine
The VIA Integrity and Authenticity scale (VIA-Int) captures one of the six foundational virtues within the Values in Action (VIA) classification system — the virtue of Courage, under which Integrity sits alongside Bravery, Perseverance, and Zest. Developed through the landmark collaboration between Christopher Peterson and Martin Seligman, the VIA-Int subscale focuses on what the researchers termed "living the good life through truthful self-representation."
In the academic psychology literature, integrity is operationally defined as the congruence between one's stated values and observable behavior — a concept closely related to self-concept clarity and psychological coherence. High-integrity individuals report lower levels of cognitive dissonance in value-relevant situations, greater emotional regulation capacity, and stronger peer-rated trustworthiness across organizational and interpersonal contexts.
| Feature | VIA-Int (This Tool) | Moral Disengagement Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Core Construct | Positive Integrity & Authenticity | Ethical Reasoning Gaps |
| Number of Items | 9 Items | 32 Items |
| Primary Use Case | Character Strength Profiling | Risk Assessment Research |
| Scoring Method | Binary Forced-Choice (0/1) | 7-Point Likert Sum Score |
The binary scoring methodology employed in this engine was validated across the Eugene-Springfield Community Sample, one of the largest community-based personality datasets in academic history, demonstrating strong internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = .72) across demographic groups. The forced-choice format reduces social desirability response bias relative to standard Likert instruments.
Within educational settings, the VIA-Int baseline is particularly valuable for leadership development curricula, ethics courses, and career counseling programs. Understanding one's authentic integrity profile helps students and professionals identify contexts where value-behavior alignment is strongest and areas where intentional reflection may deepen personal congruence.