Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Department of Educational Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Isfahan Branch (Khorasgan), Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
2 Department of Clinical Psychology, Community Health Research Center, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
3 Department of Educational Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Isfahan Branch (Khorasgan), Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: Teachers’ innovative behaviors and effective teaching can facilitate the student learning process by shaping an engaging educational environment. Accordingly, this study aimed to examine the effectiveness of training character strengths and virtues based on Seligman’s theory on the innovative behaviors and effective teaching of primary school teachers.
Methods: This applied, quasi-experimental study employed a pretest-posttest control group design with a two-month follow-up period. The statistical population consisted of primary school teachers in Isfahan, Iran, during the 2020-2021 academic year. Using purposive sampling, 30 primary school teachers were selected and randomly assigned to either an experimental or a control group (15 teachers per group). The teachers in the experimental group received training in character strengths and virtues based on Seligman’s theory over fourteen weeks, in fourteen 90-minute sessions. The administered questionnaires were the Innovative Behavior Questionnaire (IBQ) and the Effective Teaching Questionnaire (ETQ). The data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance (RM-ANOVA) via SPSS software, version 23.
Results: The results indicated that training in character strengths and virtues based on Seligman’s theory had a significant effect on primary school teachers’ innovative behaviors (F=57.75, Eta=0.67, P<0.001) and effective teaching (F=33.20, Eta=0.54, P<0.001).
Conclusion: Based on the findings, training in character strengths and virtues based on Seligman’s theory—by fostering a positive outlook on life, teaching optimism, hope for the future, commitment, and meaning-seeking—could serve as an efficient method for enhancing innovative behaviors and effective teaching in primary school teachers.
Keywords
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