Culture and Wisdom

The concept of wisdom is ancient and deeply embedded in the cultural history of humanity. However, only in the last few decades have psychologists begun to study it scientifically. We review emerging insights into the science of wisdom from a cultural psychological perspective, focusing on (a) cultural similarities and differences in epistemological traditions; (b) lay theories of wisdom (e.g., wisdom-related cognitions, affective processes, and prosociality), and (c) the role of socio-cultural affordances for the expression of wisdom-related characteristics in daily life. Overall, evidence suggests that wisdom is a culturally-situated and malleable construct, with culture playing a central role in shaping wisdom-related behaviors, supporting a constructionist account of wisdom and its development. Understanding of ecological and cultural-historical factors for the meaning and expression of wisdom is essential for the further advancement of psychological wisdom research.