Using the concept of wisdom to enhance the expression of wisdom knowledge: not the philosopher's dream but differential effects of developmental preparedness.
In this study, the authors explored whether wisdom-related performance could be enhanced by an instruction referring to the abstract concept of wisdom ("try to give a wise response"). The authors used three levels of activation of the concept of wisdom as well as intelligence-activation and control conditions in a heterogeneous sample of three age groups (N = 318). Results showed no general effect of the wisdom-concept instructions but did show an aptitude (resource) treatment interaction: Participants high in preparedness resources associated with wisdom exhibited some gains, whereas the performance of resource-low participants actually declined after the instruction. Implications and consequences with respect to ways of enhancing the expression of wisdom-related knowledge are discussed.
Glück
Judith
J
Department of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. judith.glueck@univie.ac.at
Baltes
Paul B
PB
D000124:Achievement; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D001290:Attitude; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019359:Knowledge; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires