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A route to well-being: intelligence versus wise reasoning.

Igor Grossmann¹, Jinkyung Na, Michael E W Varnum

¹Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. igrossma@uwaterloo.ca

Journal of Experimental Psychology. General

|August 8, 2012

Summary

Wise reasoning, not intelligence, is linked to greater well-being and life satisfaction. This study shows that using pragmatic approaches to social conflicts improves life quality and longevity.

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Area of Science:

Psychology
Social Sciences
Gerontology

Background:

Common assumption: higher reasoning abilities correlate with better well-being.
Prior research inconclusive, potentially due to focusing on analytic rather than wise thinking.
Wisdom operationalized as pragmatic schema use in social conflict resolution.

Purpose of the Study:

Investigate the relationship between wise reasoning and various indicators of well-being.
Examine if wise reasoning mediates age-related differences in well-being.
Contrast the impact of wise reasoning versus intelligence on well-being.

Main Methods:

Assessed wisdom through pragmatic schema use in social conflict.
Surveyed a random sample of Americans on well-being and reasoning.
Controlled for socioeconomic status, verbal intelligence, and personality traits.

Main Results:

Wise reasoning positively associated with life satisfaction, social relationships, and longevity.
Wise reasoning linked to reduced negative affect, depressive rumination, and increased positive language use.
Intelligence showed no association with well-being; wise reasoning mediated age differences.

Conclusions:

Wise reasoning, distinct from intelligence, is a significant predictor of psychological and physical well-being.
Promoting wise reasoning skills may enhance quality of life, particularly for older adults.
Future research should consider wisdom in studies of reasoning, well-being, and aging.