Scottish psychologists are trying to find out if children with certain character strengths are more likely to succeed academically.

How sociability and ­resilience relate to a pupil's experience in education is being analysed by researchers at the University of Aberdeen. 190 third-year pupils from two Aberdeen schools are taking part in the study, the first of its kind in the UK.

Study leader Nicola Gibson said it is investigating the relationship between self-rated character strengths and success in the academic environment.

"Studies in the US suggest a correlation between particular character strengths and academic achievement, but rather than taking these findings as absolute, it is important we examine this potential relationship within the very different educational and cultural context of the UK," she said