Character Development in Adolescence Project
Early Adolescent Purpose
In the Character Development in Adolescence Project, we asked 9th graders from across the country to write a message to others about their most important goals. We learned so much about their greatest ambitions and how they plan to realize them. This blog contains the responses that indicated the highest levels of early adolescent purpose.
To read what the most purposeful students wrote about their goals, click the button below!
ABOUT THIS RESEARCH
Educators often emphasize that young people need to develop character to succeed in school and life. Yet there is a shortage of scientifically-based knowledge about how adolescents develop the character strengths that contribute to success. The Character Development in Adolescence Project included a three year study of middle and high school students and established scientifically valid methods for assessing key adolescent character strengths: purpose, grit, self-control, gratitude, and actively open-minded thinking. Our longitudinal analyses examined the development of these character strengths over a formative period of adolescence, and uncovered how different character strengths relate to one another in this crucial phase of development.
