Lay conceptions of wise, intelligent, and smart people in adolescents

Axiological and cognitive similarities and differences among wise, intelligent and clever/smart people in adolescents have been studied in an ex post facto design. 465 secondary school students from Tenerife (Canary Island, Spain) accomplished the Foundational Value Scale three times, one for each of the above terms. Exploratory factor analysis was carried out for each expression and mean's comparisons were calculated among the different items according to the expression rated. The results show the existence of some commonalities among the ratings for the three expressions but also some differences have been found: a) openness, positive self-esteem and good judgment are common for the three types of people (wise, intelligent, and smart); b) wise people characterized by harmony, empathic feelings, care of environment and spirituality are more like to intelligent people (also identified by intelligence and genius) than smart people (identified by humoristic sense and to be animated, extraverted). The results of the factor analysis are different of the originally obtained by Jason et al., and these differences are interpreted according to sample characteristics and cultural influences.