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Using a prototype approach, we assessed people's lay conceptions of intuition and analysis. Open-ended descriptions of intuition and analysis were generated by participants (Study 1) and resulting exemplars were sorted into features subsequently rated in centrality by independent participants (Study 2). Feature centrality was validated by showing that participants were quicker and more accurate in classifying central (as compared to peripheral) features (Study 3). Centrality ratings suggested a single-factor structure describing analysis but revealed that participants held lay conceptions of intuition as involving two different types of processes: (1) as an automatic, affective, and non-logical processing, and (2) as a holistic processing that can assist in problem-solving. Additional analyses showed that the centrality ratings of intuition's facets were predicted by participants' self-reported intuitive style, suggesting intuition is differently perceived by intuitive and non-intuitive people. We discuss the implications of these results for the study of intuition and analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What does a good life look like? The present research investigated individual differences in people's perceptions of the factors that are most important for living a good life using two waves of data in probability samples from the US (MIDUS; N = 4041) and Japan (MIDJA; N = 381). We examined country- and age-related similarities and differences in perceptions of a good life and associations of perceptions of a good life with experiences of wellbeing and physical health. Some factors were considered important for living a good life in both countries and across age (e.g., positive relationships with family), whereas other factors varied between countries (e.g., U.S. participants were more likely to perceive faith as important) and by age (e.g., younger adults were more likely to perceive having a good job as important). Further, perceptions of a good life were related to experiences of wellbeing and physical health concurrently and prospectively. This research informs our understanding of how people differ from one another in their perceptions of a good life, and how these differences may matter for individuals' experiences of a good life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lay concepts of successful ageing have attracted the attention of researchers over the past 15 years. However, little is known about how older people in Southeastern European countries understand successful ageing and the factors associated with it. Therefore, the aim of this qualitative study conducted in Croatia, a Southeastern European country, was to explore Croatian older people’s definitions of successful ageing and the contributing factors. Interviews were conducted with 95 community-dwelling older men (49.5% of the sample) and women (50.5%) aged 65 to 90 years. Participants answered questions about definitions and contributing factors/determinants of successful ageing. Responses were subjected to thematic analysis. Results showed that participants gave similar responses to questions about the components and determinants of successful ageing. The most frequently mentioned components of successful ageing were the physical/physiological (with subthemes of general health, healthy habits, and physical mobility), the psychological component (with subthemes of good life, subjective well-being, and psychological resources, etc.), and the engagement and activity component. Among factors that contribute to successful ageing, social and physical were mentioned most frequently, followed by psychological, financial factors, and engagement/activity. Longevity and good genes were rarely cited as factors associated with successful ageing. Besides, Croatian older people have not mentioned spirituality or religiosity as important components or determinants of successful ageing. The results of our study are mostly consistent with the findings of previous research on successful ageing in predominantly Western cultures. They show the great heterogeneity of lay conceptions, which are much broader and more complex compared to researchers’ models of successful ageing.

Lay concepts of successful ageing have attracted the attention of researchers over the past 15 years. However, little is known about how older people in Southeastern European countries understand successful ageing and the factors associated with it. Therefore, the aim of this qualitative study conducted in Croatia, a Southeastern European country, was to explore Croatian older people’s definitions of successful ageing and the contributing factors. Interviews were conducted with 95 community-dwelling older men (49.5% of the sample) and women (50.5%) aged 65 to 90 years. Participants answered questions about definitions and contributing factors/determinants of successful ageing. Responses were subjected to thematic analysis. Results showed that participants gave similar responses to questions about the components and determinants of successful ageing. The most frequently mentioned components of successful ageing were the physical/physiological (with subthemes of general health, healthy habits, and physical mobility), the psychological component (with subthemes of good life, subjective well-being, and psychological resources, etc.), and the engagement and activity component. Among factors that contribute to successful ageing, social and physical were mentioned most frequently, followed by psychological, financial factors, and engagement/activity. Longevity and good genes were rarely cited as factors associated with successful ageing. Besides, Croatian older people have not mentioned spirituality or religiosity as important components or determinants of successful ageing. The results of our study are mostly consistent with the findings of previous research on successful ageing in predominantly Western cultures. They show the great heterogeneity of lay conceptions, which are much broader and more complex compared to researchers’ models of successful ageing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]