Iranian-Islamic Wisdom Scale (IIWS): Conceptualization, Development and Validation in Iranian Culture

Abstract

Wisdom is a multi-dimensional construct that is rooted in cultural values. The present study aimed to explore the concept of wisdom in Iranian culture and develop a valid and reliable tool to measure it. The study conducted in a mixed method style includes both qualitative and quantitative methods. The sample in the qualitative study was 233 people (131 female and 102 male). The sample of the quantitative study included 1201 people living in Tehran. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data in the qualitative study and for collecting data in quantitative section, the web-based questionnaire was distributed and people voluntarily answered the questions. Colaizzi's phenomenological methodology was applied in the qualitative section.  In the qualitative study, the findings revealed that Iranian people defined wisdom in six components include: Strategic Thinking, Self-awareness, Spirituality, Adaptation, Pro-social Behaviors and Social Consulting. In the quantitative section, content validity was confirmed using CVR index. Structural validity was confirmed using confirmatory factor analysis. Iranian-Islamic Wisdom Scale showed positive relationships with Ardelt’s three-dimensional wisdom scale and Levenson’s Adult Self-Transcendence Inventory. The reliability of new scale was examined by internal contingency and reliability was satisfactory (Cronbach's α = 0.89). In general, the result showed that the wisdom is multi-dimensional and new IIWS scale appears to be a reliable and valid instrument for measuring wisdom in the Iranian’s culture