Table of Contents
Three Dimensional Wisdom Scale
Here in this post, we are sharing the “Three Dimensional Wisdom Scale”. You can read psychometric and Author information. We have thousands of Scales and questionnaires in our collection (See Scales and Questionnaires). You can demand us any scale and questionnaires related to psychology through our community, and we will provide you with a short time. Keep visiting Psychology Roots.
About Three Dimensional Wisdom Scale
Scale Name
Three Dimensional Wisdom Scale
Author Details
Monika Ardelt
Translation Availability
Not Sure

Background/Description
The Three-Dimensional Wisdom Scale (3D-WS), developed by Monika Ardelt in 2003, is a tool designed to measure wisdom as a multidimensional construct encompassing cognitive, reflective, and affective components. This model was proposed to capture the complex nature of wisdom beyond traditional intelligence or experience-based measures, positioning it as an integration of intellectual, reflective, and compassionate qualities. The scale has been widely used in studies exploring age-related wisdom, life satisfaction, and personal growth.
Three Dimensional Wisdom Scale (Ardelt, 2003) will be used to measure the level of wisdom among the participants of the study. The scale is comprised of 39 items and 3 subscales including cognitive (14 items), affective (13 items) and (reflective 12 items). The scale is based on 5-point Likert type response pattern. The response categories included 1 for strongly agree, 2 for agree, 3 for neutral, 4 for disagree, and 5 for strongly disagree. All the items of the scale are positively worded. There is no cutoff scores in the scale, therefore high scores on a subscale indicates high cognitive, affective, reflective wisdom and low scores on a subscale indicate low cognitive, affective, reflective wisdom. Cronbach’s alpha for the cognitive, reflective, and affective dimensions of the 3D-WS ranges from .71 to .85 that confirms the internal reliability of the three dimensions of wisdom. The three dimensional wisdom scale is designed to access the wisdom of adults so this scale is valid for our study (Ardelt, 2003).
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
The scale is based on 5-point Likert type response pattern. The response categories included 1 for strongly agree, 2 for agree, 3 for neutral, 4 for disagree, and 5 for strongly disagree. All the items of the scale are positively worded. There is no cutoff scores in the scale, therefore high scores on a subscale indicates high cognitive, affective, reflective wisdom and low scores on a subscale indicate low cognitive, affective, reflective wisdom.
Reliability and Validity
- Reliability: The 3D-WS demonstrates good internal consistency, with Cronbach’s alpha values ranging from 0.76 to 0.86 across dimensions.
- Validity: The scale has shown strong construct validity, aligning well with theoretical predictions about wisdom and correlating significantly with measures of life satisfaction, coping abilities, and psychological well-being.
Available Versions
Multiple-Items
Reference
Ardelt, M. (2003). Empirical assessment of a three-dimensional wisdom scale. Research on aging, 25(3), 275-324.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Three-Dimensional Wisdom Scale measure?
It assesses wisdom through cognitive, reflective, and affective dimensions.
How long does the 3D-WS take to complete?
Typically, it takes around 15–20 minutes.
Who is the 3D-WS appropriate for?
It is primarily used with adults, particularly in studies on aging, well-being, and personal growth.
Can the 3D-WS be used in clinical settings?
Yes, especially in contexts related to enhancing well-being, resilience, and life satisfaction.
Disclaimer
Please note that Psychology Roots does not have the right to grant permission for the use of any psychological scales or assessments listed on its website. To use any scale or assessment, you must obtain permission directly from the author or translator of the tool. Psychology Roots provides information about various tools and their administration procedures, but it is your responsibility to obtain proper permissions before using any scale or assessment. If you need further information about an author’s contact details, please submit a query to the Psychology Roots team.
Help Us Improve This Article
Have you discovered an inaccuracy? We put out great effort to give accurate and scientifically trustworthy information to our readers. Please notify us if you discover any typographical or grammatical errors.
Make a comment. We acknowledge and appreciate your efforts.
Share With Us
If you have any scale or any material related to psychology kindly share it with us at psychologyroots@gmail.com. We help others on behalf of you.