This chapter begins an in-depth discussion of the proposed STRIVE-4 Model. It focuses on the S (scalar) and T (trait) of the model. To demonstrate that virtues can be captured in a scalar manner, It highlights studies that support the reliability and validity of constructs. Virtues such as courage, gratitude, and compassion have all been established as scalar constructs and have been related to a variety of expected well-being outcomes. The chapter further highlights empirical evidence showing that virtues cannot be subsumed by personality research or social desirability, and that informant reports further confirm researchers’ ability to capture scalar virtues. To highlight empirical work on virtues as traits, it discusses the value of intensive longitudinal studies. These studies demonstrate between-person variability and within-person consistency to support the hypothesis that virtues are traits. Finally, the chapter closes by discussing some challenges of virtue assessment, including Aristotle’s assertion of the golden mean and how to understand vice traits. Altogether, the evidence favors assessing virtues as scalar traits. It suggests it is time for researchers to advance virtue science with more sophisticated methods.

Critical consciousness, or the process of coming to understand and combat oppression, is an integral aspect of adolescents’ sociopolitical development and is necessary for collective liberation. Although adolescents interface with oppression daily, little is known about how they engage in critical consciousness or how this process manifests across different situations and contexts. In this chapter, we propose a conceptual model and research agenda aimed at capturing this complexity. Specifically, we argue that daily diary studies would be well positioned to examine the finer-grained temporal nature of critical consciousness and intraindividual variability. We provide an overview of how daily diaries might be applied to the study of critical consciousness. Additionally, we discuss implications for research, practice, and policy.