The CliftonStrengths assessment is based on a general model of Positive Psychology, which is a framework, or paradigm, that encompasses an approach to psychology from the perspective of healthy, successful life functioning. Topics include optimism, positive emotions, spirituality, happiness, satisfaction, personal development, and wellbeing. These and similar topics may be studied at the individual level or in a workgroup, family or community. While some who study Positive Psychology are therapists, a more typical distinction is that therapists focus on removing dysfunction, while Positive Psychologists focus on maintaining or enhancing successful function.
The perspective taken by Positive Psychology and the CliftonStrengths assessment differs from that of other theories and instruments developed to measure various psychological constructs. For that reason, we have not sought to develop a table that would compare and contrast the CliftonStrengths assessment approach to that of psychological assessments that theoretically measure other constructs by means of other theoretical starting points.