lOMoARcPSD|3557240
PYC2603 CHAPTER 7 MATURE THOUGHT
WISDOM AND MORAL INTELLIGENCE
ADULTHOOD AND AGING (University of South Africa)
, lOMoARcPSD|3557240
CHAPTER 7 - MATURE THOUGHT, WISDOM AND MORAL
INTELLIGENCE
Chapter 7
Mature thought, wisdom and moral intelligence
-postformal thought
-wisdom
-moral development
Orientation:
• Postformal thought, wisdom and moral development are interrelated.
• Growing older does not necessarily lead to the development of wisdom.
• Older people have had more experiences, this will contribute to wisdom and morality.
• Psychological maturity-characteristics: o flexibility and adaptability of thought;
o an openness to change;
o a zest for life (notwithstanding the reality of hardship);
o commitment to one’s work; o the belief that change is
possible;
o a sense of humour and o a sense of humility.
POSTFORMAL THOUGHT
Outcomes:
• know the characteristics of postformal thought- a level of thought beyond that of Piaget’s
formal operations.
• know how to change thinking style from formal to postformal thought.
• know how to compare immature thinkers with postformal thinkers by looking at how
people reason about emotionally charged social situations.
Beyond Piaget: new ways of thinking in adulthood
Piaget:-
• thinking starts early childhood with manipulation of sensory info
• progresses to concrete problem solving (amount of water in one container vs. other
container)
• many adolescents reach ‘formal operations’ think abstractly, systematically, logically,
hypothesis.
• Piaget says formal operations pinnacle of cognitive achievement
• some developmentalists maintain changes in cognition extend beyond that stage
• one line of Neo-Piagetian theory concerns higher levels of abstract reasoning,reflective
thinking
• another line – postformal thought which combines logic with emotion and practical
experience in the resolution of ambiguous problems
- Reflective thinking
• complex form of cognition, (John Dewey) – active, persistent, and careful consideration
of information or beliefs in the light of the evidence that supports them and the
conclusions to which they lead.
PYC2603 CHAPTER 7 MATURE THOUGHT
WISDOM AND MORAL INTELLIGENCE
ADULTHOOD AND AGING (University of South Africa)
, lOMoARcPSD|3557240
CHAPTER 7 - MATURE THOUGHT, WISDOM AND MORAL
INTELLIGENCE
Chapter 7
Mature thought, wisdom and moral intelligence
-postformal thought
-wisdom
-moral development
Orientation:
• Postformal thought, wisdom and moral development are interrelated.
• Growing older does not necessarily lead to the development of wisdom.
• Older people have had more experiences, this will contribute to wisdom and morality.
• Psychological maturity-characteristics: o flexibility and adaptability of thought;
o an openness to change;
o a zest for life (notwithstanding the reality of hardship);
o commitment to one’s work; o the belief that change is
possible;
o a sense of humour and o a sense of humility.
POSTFORMAL THOUGHT
Outcomes:
• know the characteristics of postformal thought- a level of thought beyond that of Piaget’s
formal operations.
• know how to change thinking style from formal to postformal thought.
• know how to compare immature thinkers with postformal thinkers by looking at how
people reason about emotionally charged social situations.
Beyond Piaget: new ways of thinking in adulthood
Piaget:-
• thinking starts early childhood with manipulation of sensory info
• progresses to concrete problem solving (amount of water in one container vs. other
container)
• many adolescents reach ‘formal operations’ think abstractly, systematically, logically,
hypothesis.
• Piaget says formal operations pinnacle of cognitive achievement
• some developmentalists maintain changes in cognition extend beyond that stage
• one line of Neo-Piagetian theory concerns higher levels of abstract reasoning,reflective
thinking
• another line – postformal thought which combines logic with emotion and practical
experience in the resolution of ambiguous problems
- Reflective thinking
• complex form of cognition, (John Dewey) – active, persistent, and careful consideration
of information or beliefs in the light of the evidence that supports them and the
conclusions to which they lead.
