Abstract
The purpose of this study was toclarify the constituent characteristics of IKIRU CHIKARA (Zest for Living). The concrete and characteristic words indicating IKIRU CHIKARA (Zest for Living) were collected by the school-educators and outdoor-educators (n=211). The number of the concrete and characteristic words were 1708 items. A hundred ten words were carefullyselected out of these words. A certain boy or girl (10-15 years old) was rated by other schooleducators and outdoor-educators (n=350) using each of these words. The boys and girls were classified into 4 categories: (1) boys who have good zest for living; (2) girls who have good zest for living; (3) boys who have poor zest for living; (4) girls who have poor zest for living. As a result of examining item discrimination and validity, 11 words were eliminated and 99 words remained. These 99 words were analyzed using hierarchical cluster analysis.
The major findings were as follows:
1. IKIRU CHIKARA (Zest for Living) was constituted of psychological and social ability, moral ability and physical ability.
2. These abilities were constituted of sub-characteristics; (1) psychological and social ability was constituted of psychological energy, social skill and judgment; (2) moral ability was constituted of self-control and emotion (3) physical ability was constituted active behavior and physical endurance.
