Evaluating wisdom with self-report and performance measures and its associations with executive functions

The aim of this study is to examine the concept of wisdom in Turkish culture from a psychological perspective, as well as its relationship with executive function (EF). To achieve this aim, different measurement methods were used to assess wisdom, including performance measures (BWP, Berlin Wisdom Paradigm and GWR, Grossmann Wise Reasoning) and self-report measure (SAWS, Self-Assessed Wisdom Scale). Inhibition (the go/no-go task) and task-switching paradigms were used to measure EF. One-hundred-forty-nine university students participated. According to the mean scores, the participants reported a higher level of wisdom in the SAWS, while they performed at an average level for the BWP. Lower performance was observed for the GWR. There was a tendency for the SAWS to be negatively correlated with the GWR. Besides, according to correlational analyzes, both the BWP and the GWR demonstrate a positive trend in their relationship. The SAWS, appears to be unrelated to the BWP. Inhibition performance in the second go/no-go task (the first one is unrelated) is positively correlated with the total score of the GWR. Uncertainty sub-dimension of BWP is positively correlated with task-switching. There is no other correlation between EF (inhibition, task-switching) and the total score of wisdom measurements (the BWP, the GWR, and the SAWS). According to SEM results which has a good of fit, there is a .43 correlation between higher-order EF and higher-order wisdom variables which is insignificant according to covariance analyzes. Besides, the findings indicate a paradox where individuals who self-report as wise get low scores in performance measures. Also, regression model which has good of fitness and %49 explainability, no single variable significantly explains wisdom, which confirms the complex nature of wisdom. Findings suggest that the recognition of many ways situation may unfold sub-dimension of the GWR may be significantly related to EF usage.