Gallup StrengthsFinder CliftonStrengths History and Background 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Who is known as the 'Father of Strengths Psychology' and created the CliftonStrengths assessment?
- Martin Seligman
- Tom Rath
- Don Clifton (Correct answer)
- Abraham Maslow
Correct answer: Don Clifton
Don Clifton is recognized as the Father of Strengths Psychology for developing the research and framework that became the CliftonStrengths assessment.
Question 2: In which year was the original StrengthsFinder assessment first made publicly available?
- 1990
- 1998
- 2001 (Correct answer)
- 2007
Correct answer: 2001
The original StrengthsFinder assessment launched in 2001 alongside Marcus Buckingham and Don Clifton's book 'Now Discover Your Strengths.'
Question 3: How many total talent themes are measured by the CliftonStrengths assessment?
- 24
- 28
- 34 (Correct answer)
- 40
Correct answer: 34
CliftonStrengths measures 34 talent themes organized across four domains: Executing, Influencing, Relationship Building, and Strategic Thinking.
Question 4: What academic discipline forms the philosophical foundation of the CliftonStrengths framework?
- Behavioral economics
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Positive psychology (Correct answer)
- Organizational behavior
Correct answer: Positive psychology
CliftonStrengths is rooted in positive psychology, which studies what is right with people and focuses on flourishing rather than deficiency.
Question 5: In what year did Gallup officially rename StrengthsFinder to CliftonStrengths?
- 2012
- 2015
- 2017 (Correct answer)
- 2020
Correct answer: 2017
Gallup rebranded the assessment as CliftonStrengths in 2017 to honor the legacy and contributions of Don Clifton.
Question 6: What was Don Clifton's guiding research question that sparked the development of CliftonStrengths?
- What causes mental illness in high-performing employees?
- What would happen if we studied what is right with people? (Correct answer)
- How can organizations reduce employee burnout?
- What motivates people to take financial risks?
Correct answer: What would happen if we studied what is right with people?
Clifton's foundational question—'What would happen if we studied what is right with people?'—reoriented psychology from pathology toward human potential.
Gallup StrengthsFinder CliftonStrengths History and Background 1
Who is known as the 'Father of Strengths Psychology' and created the CliftonStrengths assessment?