Judgment
"I weigh all aspects objectively in making decisions, including arguments that are in conflict with my convictions."
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What is Judgment?
Judgment involves making rational and logical choices, and analytically evaluating ideas, opinions, and facts. To use a term that originally came from outside the character field: it is critical thinking, weighing the evidence fairly, thinking things through, and examining the evidence from all sides rather than jumping to conclusions. Judgment also involves being open-minded and able to change one’s mind in the light of evidence, remaining open to other arguments and perspectives. It should be clear at this point that judgment is a core “strength of the head” — it’s a very thinking-oriented character strength.
The strength of judgment is a corrective strength in that it counteracts faulty thinking, such as favoring your current views or favoring ideas that are considered the dominant view, and therefore giving less attention to the less-dominant view. It is the willingness to search actively for evidence against your favored beliefs, plans or goals and to weigh all of the evidence fairly when it is available.
Judgment is a strength within the virtue category of wisdom, one of five virtues that subcategorize the 24 character strengths. Wisdom describes strengths that help you gather and use knowledge. The other strengths in Wisdom are creativity, curiosity, judgment, love of learning, and perspective.
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Where does judgment appear in your character strengths profile?
Research findings on the benefits of the strength of judgment found that people who can see things from more than one perspective are particularly skilled in dealing with times of change and transition. Judgment counteracts biased thinking, contributing to more accurate decision-making. Learn how to activate this strength and all of your other strengths with your personalized Total 24 Report.
- Frequently Asked Questions About Judgment
- Why is judgment important in psychology?
In psychology, judgment is considered a critical thinking trait that supports rational decision-making. It helps individuals interpret situations more clearly, avoid emotional bias, and choose actions based on logic rather than impulse or social pressure.
- How can I identify judgment as a strength in myself or others?
Look for behaviors that reflect open-mindedness—someone who pauses before making a decision, listens to different viewpoints, and adjusts their opinion based on new evidence. People strong in judgment often demonstrate a calm, balanced focus when resolving problems.
- Does being high in judgment mean you're less emotional or less kind?
Not at all. Judgment doesn’t mean being cold or disconnected. In fact, good judgment often includes emotional intelligence—recognizing when kindness, empathy, or compassion are the most appropriate responses based on the situation.
- Is judgment the same as being judgmental?
No. Being judgmental usually means jumping to conclusions or making assumptions without full information. Judgment, as a character strength, means the opposite—carefully considering different perspectives and forming conclusions based on evidence.
- How does judgment influence actions and decisions?
Judgment supports decisions that are thoughtful and fair. It means weighing the pros and cons, considering long-term outcomes, and staying open to different solutions before taking action. This often leads to more positive and effective results.
- Why is judgment a valued trait across different cultures or communities?
Judgment is valued because it promotes fairness, balance, and wisdom—traits that are universally appreciated. According to research in positive psychology, individuals who show strong judgment are often trusted leaders and reliable decision-makers.
- What does it mean to apply judgment in daily life?
Applying judgment means being aware of your own biases, considering both facts and feelings, and thinking critically before responding. Whether you're making a career choice or resolving a conflict, using judgment helps you move forward in a positive direction.
- How is judgment different from other thinking strengths like curiosity or perspective?
While curiosity is about asking questions and seeking new knowledge, and perspective is about seeing the bigger picture, judgment means organizing that information and making good decisions based on it. Together, these signature strengths complement each other.