Did you get a moment to measure your wisdom using the Three-Dimensional Wisdom Scale that I introduced you to yesterday? If you’ve tried it, kudos to you! How did you go?
Want to try another?
In the pursuit of creating a super-short wisdom measure, Dr. Dilip Jeste, along with Dr. Michael Thomas and their dedicated colleagues, embarked on a mission to condense their comprehensive 28-item Jeste-Thomas Wisdom Index (JTWI) into a concise 7-item assessment known as the SD-WISE-7. This condensed scale is specifically designed to gauge one’s wisdom in seven crucial dimensions:
- Self-reflection: The ability to introspect and understand oneself.
- Pro-social behaviours: Including empathy, compassion, and altruism towards others.
- Emotional regulation: The capacity to manage and control emotions effectively.
- Acceptance of diverse perspectives: Being open to different viewpoints and worldviews.
- Decisiveness: Making thoughtful and effective decisions.
- Social advising: Offering rational and helpful advice to those in need.
- Spirituality: Exploring the deeper aspects of existence and purpose.
The significance of this endeavour lies in the significant outcomes. Those who scored highly on the SD-WISE-7 scale displayed a strong and positive correlation with key indicators of well-being, such as resilience, happiness, and overall mental well-being. These high scorers also showed a strong and negative correlation with feelings of loneliness, depression, and anxiety.
What does this mean for you? If your scores in any of these seven wisdom dimensions happen to be on the lower side, it’s a potential clue about areas in your life where you can make evidence-based interventions to improve your overall well-being. In other words, it’s a roadmap for personal growth and development.
So, are you ready to embark on this insightful journey and see how you fare in the seven elements of wisdom? Taking the SD-WISE-7 test might just be your first step towards enhancing your wisdom and overall quality of life. Stay tuned for more details on how to access and interpret your results, as well as tips on harnessing your newfound wisdom for a brighter future.
LaFee S. 2021. Can 7 questions determine how wise you are? UC San Diego Health Press Release. https://health.ucsd.edu/news/press-releases/2021-12-02-can-seven-questions-determine-how-wise-you-are/ (accessed 12/09/2023)
Thomas M., Palmer B., Lee E., Liu J., Daly R., Tu X. & Jeste D. 2022. Abbreviated San Diego Wisdom Scale (SD-WISE-7) and Jeste-Thomas Wisdom Index (JTWI). International Psychogeriatrics 34(7): 617-626.