Exploring Rational and Non-rational Dimensions of Interpersonal Complexity

Grasping the paradoxical nature of wisdom through unconscious integrative complexity

“…When defining the construct of unconscious integrative complexity, we take into account the unconscious dimension of Medvene et al’s (2006) notion of interpersonal cognitive complexity, which is “the ability to perceive others in relatively complex and personalized terms” (p. 220) as well as “the number of psychological constructs that people use to describe others” (p. 220–221). Integrating these ideas together, unconscious integrative complexity (which can also be termed unconscious interpersonal complexity in matters pertaining to social aspects of wisdom) can be defined as the degree of complexity in the number of unconscious psychological constructs involved in experiencing life, particularly with regard to matters of wisdom such as relationships ( Kam and Bellehumeur, 2021 ). As we have argued for the conceptual soundness of the unconscious dimension of integrative complexity in wisdom, there is a need to offer an empirical method to measure this construct.…”

“…In short, we propose that the AT.9 can be utilized to measure the level of sophistication of integrative and interpersonal experience in the unconscious dimensions of a person’s mind since “[the AT.9] attempts to measure the non-rational dimensions of a person’s interpersonal complexity” ( Kam and Bellehumeur, 2021 , p. 176). As a projective test, it assesses unconscious content ( Cervone and Pervin, 2019 ) by taking into account symbolic and archetypal material, both of which involve aspects of one’s unconscious ( Cook-Greuter, 1999 ; Schlamm, 2014 ).…”

“…From these qualities, the AT.9 can help researchers operationalize a person’s non-rational capacity toward complexity since the narrative patterns, mythopoetic elements, and degree of multi-layered paradoxical organization in a person’s unconscious imagination is assessed. Since the AT.9 measures intuitive, non-rational, and symbolic dimensions of the psyche, it is particularly fitting for operationalizing unconscious integrative complexity since these are key elements of it ( Cook-Greuter, 1999 ; Kam and Bellehumeur, 2021 ).…”

“…Advanced levels of unconscious integrative complexity have a mature depth on life matters with a paradoxical nature that is comfortable with the ambiguity of opposites coexisting in healthy tension ( Kam and Bellehumeur, 2021 ). This is consistent with Sternberg’s (1990) take on wisdom not seeking to eliminate ambiguity, but being tolerant of it.…”

“…As these various scholars have conceptualized conscious and unconscious elements of wisdom, this same philosophy can be applied to conscious and unconscious dimensions of integrative complexity, which is a component of wisdom. There seems to be at least partial convergence and overlap between Weststrate and Glück’s (2017) dichotomy between cognitive and non-cognitive resources as well as Kam and Bellehumeur’s (2021) dichotomy between conscious and unconscious (also known as rational and non-rational) integrative complexity.…”