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Expert consensus on characteristics of wisdom: a Delphi method study.
Dilip V Jeste1, Monika Ardelt, Dan Blazer
1Sam and Rose Stein Institute for Research on Aging, and Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA. djeste@ucsd.edu
The Gerontologist
|March 18, 2010
Summary
Experts reached a consensus on wisdom as a distinct, learnable human trait that develops with age and experience. This empirical research provides a foundation for future studies on wisdom.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Psychology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Wisdom is increasingly studied in gerontology and psychology.
- A consistent definition of wisdom is lacking.
- Expert consensus is needed to characterize wisdom.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize wisdom through expert consensus.
- To determine if wisdom is distinct from intelligence and spirituality.
- To establish a working definition of wisdom.
Main Methods:
- A 2-phase Delphi method was employed.
- An international panel of 57 wisdom experts was surveyed.
- A 53-item Likert scale questionnaire assessed wisdom, intelligence, and spirituality.
Main Results:
- Experts differentiated wisdom from intelligence (46/49 items) and spirituality (31/49 items).
- Wisdom was characterized as a uniquely human, experience-driven cognitive and emotional development.
- It is considered a rare, learnable personal quality that increases with age and is measurable.
Conclusions:
- Considerable expert agreement exists on wisdom as a distinct entity.
- Key characteristics of wisdom were identified.
- These findings facilitate empirical research on wisdom.
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