Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Validation of a Psychosocial Intervention on Body Image in Older People: An Experimental Design
Published on: May 31, 2021
Personal wisdom: validation and age-related differences of a performance measure
Charlotte Mickler1, Ursula M Staudinger
1Jacobs Center on Lifelong Learning and Institutional Development, Jacobs University Bremen, Bremen, Germany. charlotte.mickler@web.de
Abstract:
The 2 goals of this study were to develop and validate a performance measure of personal wisdom (PW) and to examine age differences. On the basis of the Berlin wisdom paradigm and growth theories of personality, 5 criteria of PW were developed. A sample of 83 younger adults (ages 20-40) and 78 older adults (ages 60-80) thought aloud about a PW task. Transcribed answers were rated. Validity was established with regard to indicators of personality growth, subjective well-being, intelligence, critical life events, and general wisdom. As expected, no age differences were obtained on the basic criteria, and negative age differences were found on the metacriteria indexing PW. Fluid intelligence and openness to new experience partially mediated these differences. It is argued that on average and for current cohorts age-related changes in psychological functioning may act as hindrances on the road to PW.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Self-Evaluation Maintenance Model
Sources of Self-Esteem II: Performance Feedback
Self-Presentation: Self-Monitoring and Self-Handicapping
Self-Discrepancy Theory
Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
Self-Esteem

