The Wisdom Experience: Autobiographical Narratives Across Adulthood

Gluck, J., Bluck, S., Baron, J., et al. (2005). The wisdom experience: Autobiographical narratives across adulthood. International Journal of Behavioral Development. 29(3): 197-208.

This research uses an autobiographical approach to examine the relation of age to several aspects of wisdom. In Study 1 (N = 86), adolescents', young adults', and older adults' wisdom narratives were content-coded for the types of life situations mentioned and the forms that wisdom took. Types of life situations reported ( e. g., life decisions) were the same across age groups. Three different forms of wisdom emerged ( empathy and support; self-determination and assertion; balance and flexibility) and their frequency differed with age. In Study 2, middle-aged and older adults' (N = 51) autobiographical wisdom narratives were also analysed for type of situation and form of wisdom, but with the addition of two comparison life events: being foolish and having a very positive experience. Most findings replicated Study 1. Unlike Study 1, however, regardless of age, Study 2 participants largely showed the wisdom form, empathy and support. Results are discussed in terms of variations in individuals' implicit theories of wisdom as applied to their own lives.