Learning Objectives

Following the completion of this chapter, students will be able to:

1. Discuss the relationship between postformal thought and Hoyer's encapsulation model of cognitive development.
2. Describe the purpose and findings of research investigating everyday problem solving by adults.
3. Define integrative thinking and describe differences between young, middle-aged, and older adults in applying intuition, integrative thinking, and subjective interpretations.
4. Describe patterns of behavior associated with postformal thought and explain the relationship between the stage of cognitive development and Piaget's theory.
5. Describe how postformal thought develops and explain three levels of adult cognitive development.
6. Identify situations during which postformal thought will be required, and explain the difference between immature and mature thinkers.
7. Summarize the relationship of culture to postformal thought.
8. List and define the criteria for postformal thought described by Sinnott.
9. Identify and describe Schaie's five stages of intellectual development.
10. Compare and contrast six aspects of wisdom, intelligence, and creativity.
11. Describe how wisdom is explained through folklore, myth, and philosophy.
12. List and describe five major theories in psychological concepts of wisdom and the respective assessment strategies of each.
13. List and define Kohlberg's levels and stages of moral reasoning and compare these to Piaget's theory of cognitive development.
14. Describe Gilligan's stages and theory of gender and postformal morality.
15. Describe the behavior of Gandhi, who was able to integrate intelligence, creativity, wisdom, and moral development.