Henning Bang

• Boe, Ole & Bang, Henning (2018). Assessing the correlation between character strengths and mental toughness in military officers. Arts and Social Sciences Journal.  ISSN 2151-6200.
• Bang, Henning; Boe, Ole; Nilsen, Fredrik A. & Eilertsen, Dag-Erik (2017). Do character strengths predict how well military cadets succeed during their Bachelor`s program?. ICERI proceedings.  ISSN 2340-1095.  s 7297- 7302 . doi: 10.21125/iceri.2017.1961 Show summary

  The Norwegian Military Academy (NMA) aims at educating and developing highly skilled military officers through its Bachelor programs. Prior studies have indicated that twelve character strengths are particularly important for succeeding as a military officer. How important are these character strengths for how the military cadets perform academically and physically during the Bachelor’s programs at the NMA? The purpose of this study is to examine to what extent the twelve character strengths predict how well cadets succeed during their Bachelor programs, and if character strengths outperform mental intelligence as predictor of cadet performance. The cadets’ character strengths were measured with an observational instrument (OBSCIF) filled out by peer cadets at the end of a combat fatigue exercise. The cadets’ performance was measured by physical tests and grades from different courses of the Bachelor programs. Mental intelligence was measured as a general ability score, based on a combined measure of the performance on three tests: Arithmetic, Word Similarities and Figures. Analyses included partial correlations between the twelve character strengths and cadet performance indicators, controlling for mental intelligence. Ten out of twelve character strengths – Bravery, Love of learning, Leadership, Integrity, Perspective, Creativity, Self-regulation, Persistence, Open-mindedness, and Teamwork – correlated moderately to strongly with how the cadets performed either academically or physically, even when controlling for intelligence. The character strengths Fairness and Social intelligence did not correlate significantly with any of the performance criteria. Character strengths seem to be important predictors for how well cadets succeed during their Bachelor’s programs, and they outperform mental intelligence as predictors of cadet performance. Military education programs should consider selecting cadets characterized by certain character strengths, and aim at further developing these character strengths during the education. Character strengths seem to be important predictors for how well cadets succeed during their Bachelor’s programs, and they outperform mental intelligence as predictors of cadet performance. Military education programs should consider selecting cadets characterized by certain character strengths, and aim at further developing these character strengths during the education. The cadets’ character strengths were measured with an observational instrument (OBSCIF) filled out by peer cadets at the end of a combat fatigue exercise. The cadets’ performance was measured by physical tests and grades from different courses of the Bachelor programs. Mental intelligence was measured as a general ability score, based on a combined measure of the performance on three tests: Arithmetic, Word Similarities and Figures. Analyses included partial correlations between the twelve character strengths and cadet performance indicators, controlling for mental intelligence. Ten out of twelve character strengths – Bravery, Love of learning, Leadership, Integrity, Perspective, Creativity, Self-regulation, Persistence, Open-mindedness, and Teamwork – correlated moderately to strongly with how the cadets performed either academically or physically, even when controlling for intelligence. The character strengths Fairness and Social intelligence did not correlate significantly with any of the performance criteria. Character strengths seem to be important predictors for how well military cadets succeed during their Bachelor’s programs, and they outperform mental intelligence as predictors of cadet performance. Military education programs should consider selecting cadets characterized by certain character strengths, and aim at further developing these character strengths during the education.

• Bang, Henning & Midelfart, Thomas Nesset (2017). What characterizes effective management teams? A research - based approach. Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research.  ISSN 1065-9293.  69(4), s 334- 359 . doi: 10.1037/cpb0000098
• Boe, Ole & Bang, Henning (2017). The Big 12: The Most Important Character Strengths for Military Officers. Athens Journal of Social Sciences.  ISSN 2241-7737.  4(2), s 161- 174
• Boe, Ole; Nilsen, Fredrik A.; Kristiansen, Ola; Krogdahl, Per & Bang, Henning (2017). Measuring important character strengths in Norwegian Special Forces officers. EDULEARN proceedings.  ISSN 2340-1117.  s 1623- 1631 . doi: 10.21125/edulearn.2017.1349 Show summary

  Problem statement: Serving as a soldier or officer in a military elite or special unit is highly demanding. This requires among other things that the soldier or officer has a well-developed character. Previous studies have identified that 12 character strengths are highly relevant and important for succeeding as a regular officer in the Norwegian Army. The character strengths previously identified as important for regular officers was leadership, integrity, persistence, bravery, citizenship, fairness, open-mindedness, social intelligence, love of learning, perspective, self-regulation, and creativity. There is, however, a lack of systematic research on which character strengths that are crucial for succeeding in Special Forces units, and hence, to develop military training and education in such units. Purpose of study: To investigate which character strengths are considered important for officers of the Norwegian Armed Forces Special Command. Method: 27 officers from the Norwegian Armed Forces Special Command were given a list of 24 character strengths based on Peterson and Seligman’s (2004) taxonomy. Participants were requested to evaluate each character strength according to its importance for success as an officer in their unit. Ratings were given on a scale ranging from 1 (not important) to 5 (very important). Findings and results: Scores of 4.00 and above (important) was used to decide whether a character strength was to be considered important. The respondents gave 15 of the 24 character strengths a score of 4.00 or higher. The main character strength was open-mindedness, closely followed by integrity, teamwork, leadership, persistence, love of learning, bravery, perspective, social intelligence, fairness, creativity, humility/modesty, curiosity, self-regulation and forgiveness and mercy. Conclusions and recommendations: The 15 chosen character strengths included all the 12 character strengths previously identified as important for other Norwegian Army officers. However, the participants in the present study also selected humility/modesty, curiosity, and forgiveness and mercy as important character strengths. This might imply that being selected for and serving in a military special unit is more demanding and complex, and thus require a wider range of character strengths than previously identified.

• Bang, Henning; Eilertsen, Dag-Erik; Boe, Ole & Nilsen, Fredrik A. (2016). Development of an observational instrument (OBSCIF) for evaluating character strengths in army cadets. EDULEARN proceedings.  ISSN 2340-1117.  s 7803- 7808 . doi: 10.21125/edulearn.2016.0711 Show summary

  Problem statement: The Norwegian Military Academy (NMA) aims to educate highly competent officers, who have the capacity to lead under extreme conditions. Previous studies have identified 12 particularly important character strengths for succeeding as an officer in the Norwegian army. These are leadership, integrity, persistence, bravery, teamwork, fairness, open-mindedness, social intelligence, love of learning, perspective, self-regulation, and creativity. The NMA wants to observe, evaluate and develop these character strengths during the army cadets’ three-year bachelor’s program. However, a previous study has found that VIA-IS – a survey based questionnaire designed to measure character strengths – poorly predicts what character strengths army cadets actually display during extreme conditions, such as a long and stressful military field exercise. Hence, there is a need for a reliable and valid measure of character strengths displayed under extreme conditions. Purpose of study: To develop a reliable and valid observational instrument for measuring 12 character strengths displayed by army cadets under extreme conditions, such as stressful military field exercises. Method: An observational instrument (OBSCIF – OBServation of Character In Field) was developed and tested on 59 army cadets. The cadets evaluated themselves on VIA-IS and OBSCIF. Consistency between scoring on the two instruments, and scale reliabilities for OBSCIF, were examined. Conclusion: Scores on the 12 character strengths measured by VIA-IS and OBSCIF correlates substantially with each other, indicating that OBSCIF is a valid measure of the 12 character strengths. In addition, reliability coefficients (Cronbach’s alphas) estimated for the 12 scales in OBSCIF are all within acceptable levels, indicating that they provide reliable measures of the 12 character strengths. OBSCIF exists in Norwegian and English, and is available for use by any educational institution who is interested in evaluating character strengths displayed during live settings.

• Boe, Ole & Bang, Henning (2016). The Big 12: The Most Important Character Strengths for Officers, In Gregory T. Papanikos (ed.),  Psychology Abstracts Tenth Annual International Conference on Psychology 23-26 May 2016, Athens, Greece.  Athens Institute for Education and Research (ATINER).  ISBN 978-960-598-052-8.  Paper 6.  s 22 - 22
• Boe, Ole & Bang, Henning (2016). The Big 12: The Most Important Character Strengths for Military Officers. Atiner Conference Paper Series.  ISSN 2241-2891.  PSY2016, s 1- 15 Show summary

  The Norwegian Military Academy´s main role is to educate future military leaders for the Norwegian Army. After graduating from the Norwegian Military Academy, these leaders will most likely have to deal with a great deal of responsibility and to cope with challenging and difficult situations. Leadership in these situations will demand a high degree of both intellect and character. Systematic research on the specific character strengths that are crucial to possess for military officers to succeed as military leaders is lacking. The purpose of this study is to investigate the experienced military officer’s perception of which character strengths are seen as the most important for military officers in order to succeed as military leaders. A second aim was to investigate if there was any degree of consistency between the character strengths chosen in the present study and those chosen in previous studies. Method: A group of participants consisting of 21 military officers with an average of 10.3 years of active service in the Norwegian Armed Forces took part in the study. The officers were students of the Norwegian Military Academy when the present study was conducted. A list of 24 character strengths was given. The participants were then requested to judge each character’s strength separately based on their subjective perception of the character’s strengths importance for military officers. As a result 13 character strengths were selected as the most important for military officers and their leadership. These were in ranked order: leadership, teamwork, openmindedness, integrity, persistence, bravery, curiosity, love of learning, social intelligence, fairness, perspective, creativity and self-regulation. Conclusions: The results from the present study are consistent and thus corroborate well with findings from the four previous studies conducted at the Norwegian Military Academy. In these four previous studies, 12 of the same 12 character strengths were also chosen as the most important ones for military officers. There thus seems to be a very strong consensus among military officers regarding which character strengths that are seen as important for military officers.

• Boe, Ole; Davidson, Sofia Ellen; Nilsen, Fredrik A. & Bang, Henning (2016). A study of observed character strengths in military cadets during a combat fatigue course. ICERI proceedings.  ISSN 2340-1095.  s 6068- 6077 . doi: 10.21125/iceri.2016.0376 Show summary

  This study is a quantitative study on observed character strengths in military cadets at the Norwegian Military Academy. Through descriptive statistics and a correlation analysis, it aims to answer the research question that revolves around the existence of consistency between the different sources of assessment, and what the meaning of the existence or non-existence of consistency may mean. The study draws close connections between the character strengths in the data and their relevance to an officer’s ability, to meet the responsibilities set by both the society and the organisation that they represent. In this study an observational instrument called “OBServation of Character In Field” was used. The observational instrument assesses the cadet’s behaviour in relation to 12 character strengths that have been established as important for a military leader to inhabit. The cadets assessed themselves, and were assessed by their peers and an instructor after having completed an extreme field exercise. The findings showed that the peers and instructor had a much higher consistency in the correlations than any of the other combinations. Further, the cadets had rated themselves higher in seven out of 12 character strengths. The four character strengths that the cadets had rated themselves highest on, were the same four found to be rated the highest in other military studies using the same character strengths. The findings support that the OBSCIF has functioned well in relation to being able to observe character strengths through behaviour

• Boe, Ole; Heiskel, Bengt Andre; Grande, Øyvind Moholdt; Nilsen, Fredrik A. & Bang, Henning (2016). Measuring character strengths: A methodological study of military cadets during a field exercise. ICERI proceedings.  ISSN 2340-1095.  s 6057- 6067 . doi: 10.21125/iceri.2016.0374 Show summary

  The Norwegian Military Academy (NMA) uses two different instruments in order to measure character strengths in its cadets, respectively a self-report questionnaire and an observational instrument. The self-report questionnaire is called Values In Action-Inventory of Strengths (VIA-IS) and is a recognized questionnaire. The observational instrument is developed by the NMA and is referred to as OBSCIF (OBServation of Character In Field). The purpose of the research in this study was to determine whether the NMA has chosen the right methods of measurement of character strengths in its cadets. Data were gathered during a field exercise with high physical and psychological stress. Cadets filled out the VIA-IS and was then observed by both fellow cadets and by experienced instructors during the field exercise. Based upon the correlation results, we found, except for two character strengths, low correlations across the methods of self-reporting and observation. Our research revealed several possible sources of error that could explain the low correlations. Sources of error may be related to the person being evaluated, the one who observe, the context and/or the instruments that are used to collect data. However, some significant correlations was found within the methods, which may mean that some character strengths are better suited for measurement through self-report and others through observation. The combination of the two methods self-reporting and observation are therefore likely a correct choice for the NMA. However, more research should be carried out in order to reduce potential sources of error associated with the measurement of character strengths.

• Bang, Henning; Boe, Ole; Nilsen, Fredrik Andre & Eilertsen, Dag-Erik (2015). Evaluating character strengths in cadets during a military field exercise: Consistency between different evaluation sources. EDULEARN proceedings.  ISSN 2340-1117.  s 7076- 7082 Show summary

  Problem statement: The Norwegian Military Academy (NMA) educates cadets who will serve as officers in international military operations. Serving as an officer in such operations is often demanding, and requires that the officer exhibit certain personal strengths and characteristics. Applying assumptions and formulations based on Peterson and Seligman’s (2004) taxonomy of 24 character strengths, prior studies have identified 12 character strengths that are particularly relevant and important for succeeding as an officer in the Norwegian army. The character strengths are: leadership, integrity, persistence, bravery, citizenship, fairness, open-mindedness, social intelligence, love of learning, perspective, self-regulation, and creativity. The NMA have launched a project to find ways of observing, evaluating and developing these character strengths during the cadets’ three-year bachelor’s program. Since no instruments for observing and evaluating character strengths in live contexts exist today, the NMA developed an observer-based instrument for evaluation of character strengths in military field exercises. Purpose of study: To examine the consistency in evaluations across raters when using an observer-based instrument designed to measure 12 vital character strengths in cadets during military field exercises. Method: 60 cadets from the NMA attending a 5-day military field exercise were evaluated on 12 character strengths by three different sources: themselves, peer cadets and supervisors. Evaluations from the different sources were compared, and consistency across sources for each of the 12 character strengths, were examined. Conclusion: 7 of 12 character strengths (leadership, persistence, citizenship, social intelligence, love of learning, perspective, and self-regulation) showed significant and positive correlations between two or three of the evaluation sources. Peers and supervisors were more consistent in their evaluations of the cadets compared to peers/self-evaluation and supervisor/self-evaluation.

• Bang, Henning & Midelfart, Thomas Nesset (2015). Ledelse gjennom effektive ledergrupper, I: Ståle Einarsen & Anders Skogstad (red.),  Ledelse på godt og vondt: Effektivitet og trivsel. 2. utg..  Fagbokforlaget.  ISBN 978-82-450-1658-1.  Kapittel 13.  s 279 - 302
• Boe, Ole; Bang, Henning & Nilsen, Fredrik Andre (2015). Developing an observational instrument for measuring character strengths during military field exercises. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences.  ISSN 1877-0428.  197, s 1126- 1133 . doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.07.363 Show summary

  Problem statement: Serving as an officer in international military operations is often demanding, and requires that the officer has a well-developed character. Character and character strength are difficult concepts to measure objectively. The most common method for measuring character strengths is with a rating instrument called VIA-IS (Peterson & Seligman, 2004). It employs subjective self-rating measures which may not reflect the character strengths actually displayed in difficult and particularly stressful situations. Observer-based measures of character strength are not yet developed in the research literature. Purpose of study: To design an observer-based instrument to measure vital character strengths during military field exercises at the Norwegian Military Academy (NMA). Method: 12 previously-determined character strengths required for succeeding as a military officer were introduced to participants in a workshop of experienced military officers with expertise in infantry disciplines. The purpose of the workshop was to construct observable measures of the 12 character strengths to assess military cadets during combat field exercises. The workshop participants developed several observable measures for each of the 12 character strengths. Conclusion: The observable measures developed form the basis for an observational instrument to measure character strengths during military field exercises.

• Boe, Ole; Bang, Henning & Nilsen, Fredrik Andre (2015). Experienced military officer’s perception of important character strengths. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences.  ISSN 1877-0428.  190, s 339- 345 . doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.05.008 Show summary

  Problem statement: Military officers educated from the Norwegian Military Academy are expected to become leaders in military international operations. Leadership in these contexts will demand a high degree of intellect and character. However, there is a lack of systematic research on which specific character strengths that are crucial to possess for military officers to succeed in international operations. Purpose of study: This paper discusses a group of experienced officer's perception of which character strengths are deemed most important for the Norwegian Military Academy's officers to succeed. Method A group of participants consisting of 25 experienced military officers were given a list of 24 character strengths. They were requested to judge each character strength according to its importance for military officers. Findings and results: 12 character strengths were selected as the most important for military officers and their leadership. These were in ranked order: Leadership, integrity, persistence, bravery, open-mindedness, fairness, citizenship, self-regulation, love of learning, social intelligence, perspective and creativity. Conclusions and recommendations: These 12 character strengths were the same 12 identified as important for military officers in another study conducted at the NMA. It was therefore decided that these 12 selected character strengths will function as the basis for the development of an instrument for observing character strengths during military field exercises.

• Boe, Ole; Bang, Henning & Nilsen, Fredrik Andre (2015). Selecting the most relevant character strengths for Norwegian Army officers: An educational tool. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences.  ISSN 1877-0428.  197, s 801- 809 . doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.07.188 Show summary

  Problem statement: Officers educated at the Norwegian Military Academy (NMA) will most likely serve in leading roles in international military operations, which will demand both intellect and character. There is, however,a lack of systematic research on which character traits that are crucial forsucceeding in these operations, and hence, to develop during military training and education at the NMA. Purpose of study: This paper discusses the process of selecting the most important character strengths for development in cadets attending the NMA. Method Two groups of participants, one expert group and one military group, were given a list of 24 character strengths to select from (Peterson & Seligman, 2004). Findings and Results The following 9 character strengths were most important to both groups: leadership, integrity, persistence, bravery, citizenship, open-mindedness, social intelligence, self-regulation and creativity. In addition, perspective, fairness, and love of learning were chosen by the military group, totaling 12 character strengths in all. Conclusions and recommendations: These 12 character strengths were selected for further researchto explore ways of measuring them live in military training exercises, to determine the extent to which they can be developed through military training, and to see which strengths better predict military officer performance.

• Bang, Henning (2013). Organisasjonskultur : en begrepsavklaring. Tidsskrift for Norsk Psykologforening.  ISSN 0332-6470.  50(4), s 326- 336
• Bang, Henning; Fuglesang, Synne Løvdahl; Ovesen, Mariann Reinås & Eilertsen, Dag-Erik (2010). Effectiveness in top management group meetings: The role of goal clarity, focused communication, and learning behavior. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology.  ISSN 0036-5564.  51(3), s 253- 261 . doi: 10.1111/j.1467-9450.2009.00769.x
• Bang, Henning & Midelfart, Thomas Nesset (2010). Dialog og effektivitet i ledergrupper. Tidsskrift for Norsk Psykologforening.  ISSN 0332-6470.  47, s 4- 15
• Bang, Henning (2008). Effektivitet i lederteam - hva er det, og hvilke faktorer påvirker det?. Tidsskrift for Norsk Psykologforening.  ISSN 0332-6470.  45(3), s 272- 286
• Bang, Henning (2007). Delegering - en nøkkel til effektivt lederskap. Magma - Tidsskrift for økonomi og ledelse.  ISSN 1500-0788.  10(5), s 44- 50
• Bang, Henning (1993). Parterapi - hvilken forskjell gjør det?. Fokus på familien.  ISSN 0332-5415.  21, s 178- 189

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• Bang, Henning; Midelfart, Thomas Nesset; Molly-Søholm, Thorkil & Elmholdt, Claus (2015). Effektive ledergrupper. For bedre udvikling, implementering og tværgående sammenhæng. Dansk Psykologisk Forlag.  ISBN 9788777069543.  244 s.
• Bang, Henning & Midelfart, Thomas Nesset (2012). Effektive ledergrupper. Gyldendal Akademisk.  ISBN 978-82-05-41083-1.  293 s.
• Bang, Henning (2011). Organisasjonskultur. Universitetsforlaget.  ISBN 9788215007823.  249 s.
• Bang, Henning (1998). Organisasjonskultur i praksis. Universitetsforlaget.  ISBN 9788251837132.  170 s.
• Bang, Henning (1995). Organisasjonskultur. Universitetsforlaget.  ISBN 82-518-3387-6.  211 s.

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• Bang, Henning; Eilertsen, Dag-Erik; Boe, Ole; Nilsen, Fredrik A. & Lang-Ree, Ole Christian (2018). Character strengths predict academic and military performance.
• Boe, Ole; Bang, Henning; Nilsen, Fredrik A. & Eilertsen, Dag-Erik (2017). Character strengths as important predictors for success in the military.
• Boe, Ole; Nilsen, Fredrik A.; Kristiansen, Ola; Krogdahl, Per & Bang, Henning (2017). Important Character Strengths for Norwegian Special Forces Officers.
• Bang, Henning & Boe, Ole (2016). Karakter hos militære ledere: eksempler på forskning for og i offisersutdanningen.
• Bang, Henning; Boe, Ole & Nilsen, Fredrik A. (2016). OBSCIF – Evaluation of your character strengths: An observational instrument for rating of character strengths in army cadets..
• Bang, Henning; Boe, Ole & Nilsen, Fredrik A. (2016). OBSKIF - Vurdering av dine karakterstyrker: Observasjonsskjema for vurdering av karakterstyrker hos kadetter..
• Bang, Henning; Eilertsen, Dag-Erik; Boe, Ole & Nilsen, Fredrik A. (2016). OBSCIF: Evaluating Character strengths.
• Boe, Ole & Bang, Henning (2016). Assessing the correlation between character strengths and mental toughness in military officers.
• Boe, Ole; Heiskel, Bengt A.; Grande, Øyvind. M. & Bang, Henning (2016). Measuring character strengths.
• Davidson, Sofia Ellen; Bang, Henning & Boe, Ole (2016). OBSCIF: Self-assessment and observed behaviour.
• Bang, Henning; Boe, Ole & Nilsen, Fredrik Andre (2015). Vurderingsskjemaer for karakterstyrker på Stridskurset 2015 for selv, kollega og veileder 7.0.
• Bang, Henning & Midelfart, Thomas Nesset (2015). effect. A web-based survey for measuring effectiveness in management teams.
• Boe, Ole & Bang, Henning (2015). Status i prosjektet: Karakter hos militære ledere.
• Bang, Henning & Boe, Ole (2014). Kartlegging og utvikling av karakterstyrker hos kadetter ved Krigsskolen.
• Boe, Ole & Bang, Henning (2014). Character in military leaders - a short project description for VIA.
• Bang, Henning (2013). What characterizes effective management teams?.
• Bang, Henning (2010). Effektivitet i ledergrupper: En studie av sammenhengen mellom gruppeprosesser og teameffektivitet i ledermøter.
• Bang, Henning (2010). Teamarbeid - et gode eller et onde?. Tidsskrift for Norsk Psykologforening.  ISSN 0332-6470.  47(1), s 2- 3
• Bang, Henning & Nygaard, Karen Øverland (2009). Norske toppledergrupper: Hvem er de, hva gjør de og hvor effektive er de?.
• Bang, Henning & Lindholm, Astri Eidsbø (1998). Livet på jobben: Hvordan takle vanskelige samtaler?, I:  Kunnskap i arbeid - status og fremtidsbilder.  Tano Aschehoug.  Artikkel i bok.  s 199 - 209

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