What makes someone seem wise? A new study led by researchers at the University of Waterloo finds that people across the globe view wisdom as a mix of using knowledge and thinking logically, while also considering others’ feelings and social dynamics.
The study, which spanned 12 countries on five continents, identified two key traits that influence how we judge wisdom: reflective thinking and socio-emotional awareness. Reflective thinking involves logical reasoning, controlling emotions, and applying knowledge effectively. Socio-emotional awareness includes being mindful of others’ feelings and understanding social situations.
Widespread acceptance
Surprisingly, these two traits were recognized in all the cultural regions studied and were both linked to how people explicitly labeled someone as wise, the researchers said.
These insights help explain how people worldwide might judge and trust leaders, educators, and others in influential positions. For example, think of how people view former U.S. President Donald Trump compared to current President Joe Biden.
“Although both traits contribute to wisdom, people tend to value reflective thinking more,” the researchers note. “If someone isn’t seen as capable of logical reasoning, their socio-emotional skills and moral intentions might not be enough to make them seem wise.”
This was evident after the Trump-Biden 2024 presidential debate. Both candidates seemed to lack reflection, but Trump was seen by many as the winner, while Biden came across as well-meaning but mentally weak.
Comprehensive study
The study involved 26 research institutions and included participants from diverse backgrounds in North and South America, Asia, Africa, and Europe. A total of 2,707 people were asked to assess the wisdom of various individuals, including scientists, politicians, and teachers, when faced with a tough real-life decision that had no clear right or wrong answer.
Afterward, participants rated the wisdom of these figures and themselves. Interestingly, people tended to see themselves as less wise when it came to reflective thinking, but felt more confident about their socio-emotional awareness.
Understanding how people around the world perceive wisdom has important implications for leadership, education, and communication across cultures. It’s a crucial first step in identifying universal principles of wisdom across different contexts.
