Youth Who Thrive
Research expands the research
In 1993, 4 Cs were proposed by Rick Little, that is, competence, confidence, connection, and character. Based on a review of research evidence, a fifth C, caring (or compassion) was added. The sixth C began to be added in 2005 in the research literature.
| Core Principle | Description |
|---|---|
|
Competence |
Positive view of one’s actions in specific areas, including social competence (interpersonal skills), cognitive competence (cognitive abilities), academic competence (school grades, attendance, and test scores), and vocational competence (work habits and career choice explorations). |
|
Confidence |
An internal sense of positive self-efficacy and self-worth at an overall level rather than in specific areas; one’s global self-regard. |
|
Connection |
Positive bonds with people and institutions reflected in bi-directional exchanges between youth and peers, family, school, and community. |
|
Character |
Respect for societal and cultural rules, standards for correct behaviours, integrity, and a sense of right and wrong (morality). |
|
Caring/ |
A sense of sympathy and empathy for others. |
|
Contribution |
When the five Cs are present, youth contribute positively to self, family, community, and society. These contributions have a behavioural component (actions) and an ideological component (belief that contributions are a necessary part of one’s civic duty). |