Can wisdom and psychosocial growth be learned in university courses?

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis study explored whether three-dimensional wisdom and psychosocial growth, defined as increases in psychological well-being (PWB), spirituality, and death acceptance, can be learned in university courses. Specifically, the study examined whether courses that tried to engage the whole person rather than only the intellect and/or courses that included a service learning component (growth classes) fostered greater wisdom and psychosocial growth than regular sociology or religion courses (control classes). Results of repeated measure MANOVAs showed that, on average, the 165 students who were enrolled in 12 growth classes significantly increased in wisdom, PWB, spirituality, and death acceptance between the beginning and the end of the semester, whereas the 153 students who attended eight control classes significantly decreased in wisdom and did not change significantly in PWB, spirituality, and death acceptance. It appears that it is indeed possible to learn wisdom and psychosocial growth in university courses.