An integrative framework to study wisdom
Chapter summary: Psychological wisdom is a growing and flourishing field of research. However, despite several promising efforts to systematically conceptualize and operationalize this construct, no consensus exists about the definition of wisdom. We argue that there is a need for integration of wisdom models to forward the field as a whole. For this purpose, we use a comprehensive framework, the Nomological Lens Model Network (NLMN; Rauthmann, 2017), to systematically review and categorize major models of wisdom. The NLMN is a combination of a nomological network (Cronbach & Meehl, 1955), a lens model (Brunswik, 1956), and the 4 Ps (Person, Presses, Products, and Processes) as derived from creativity research (Rhodes, 1961). The nomological network and the lens model provide a perspective that allows for a diagnostic evaluation of wisdom models. The 4 Ps, on the other hand, provide a perspective that allows structuring the literature in a meaningful way for personality science. This approach enabled us to identify both common components and blind spots of different wisdom models. We further discuss potential goals that can be achieved using this framework and their implications for wisdom research.