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Chapter 3 - Folk Conceptions of Wisdom around the World

from Part I - Introduction to Wisdom Theory and Research

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 May 2022

By
Nic M. Weststrate  and
Susan Bluck
Edited by
Robert J. Sternberg  and
Judith Glück
Robert J. Sternberg
Affiliation:
Cornell University, New York
Judith Glück
Affiliation:
Universität Klagenfurt, Austria
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Summary

This chapter explores folk conceptions of wisdom around the world. The chapter begins by introducing the reader to the rich line of scientific inquiry into folk conceptions of wisdom, delineating this field of study from formal theories of wisdom. Next, the reader is introduced to three families of methodological approaches to studying folk conceptions of wisdom—descriptor-rating studies, real-life approaches, and experimental designs. With this knowledge, the reader is then presented with a review of the current state of research into folk conceptions, addressing core questions that have guided scientific agendas in this area: What is wisdom? Who is wise? In which situations is wisdom expressed? How does wisdom develop? The last section of this chapter explores how the answers to these questions differ according to individual, professional, and cultural contexts. Through this review, the reader will appreciate how the investigation of folk conceptions has shaped the psychological study of wisdom and will continue to drive innovative ways of thinking about wisdom and its development.

Keywords

Folk conceptionswisdomdescriptor approachesreal-life approachesexperimental approaches
Type
Chapter
Information
The Psychology of Wisdom
An Introduction
 , pp. 35 - 52
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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