One could perhaps argue that fluid mechanics is a more primitive, survival type functioning and that crystallized pragmatics is more evolved, culturally shaped mental behavior. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute in Berlin have been conducting studies of wisdom for several years. Paul Baltes is usually the lead person in that research. The site is in English and in German. Do you agree with their definition of wisdom as portrayed in the video.
Research clearly indicates that personality traits are remarkably stable over the life span.
Identical twin studies have found remarkable similarities between people who were raised apart and new genetic research seems to be finding actual genes that account for proclivities for certain character traits. On the other hand, the amazing plasticity of human behavior is demonstrated with adopted children and the success some intervention programs have with emotionally scarred children. The video briefly applies the SOC model to five individuals who are having successful aging experiences. A possible assignment for students would be to apply the model to a successful ager and one who is not, to check whether the model can explain why the unsuccessful person is having difficulty. 7.Another exercise might be to have students apply the SOC model to a period of their own life like adolescence or young adulthood.