A Process of Enhancing Cognitive Intelligence for Thai Youth

Abstract

This research aims to develop and present a systematic youth development framework through the integration of “Buddhi-Panya activities” with an eight-dimensional youth model. The study seeks to advance traditional cognitive-based learning (cognitive domain) toward affective transformation through contemplative education (contemplative pedagogy). The proposed framework emphasizes the construction of a learning mechanism that systematically links internal cognitive processes with external ethical behaviors, thereby fostering self-awareness and insight-based wisdom among youth.

The findings indicate that effective youth development requires a stepwise learning process. The process begins with body-based and self-awareness activities designed to enhance neural readiness, attentional stability, and concentration. It then progresses toward higher-order analytical thinking activities, followed by integration through sensory-based practices. These sensory-oriented activities function as mechanisms to anchor learners in the present moment, which plays a critical role in cultivating mental clarity, emotional purification, and sustained attentional discipline. The key contribution of this study is the synthesis of a “Buddhi-Panya Enhancement Process for Model Youth Development,” consisting of two interrelated dimensions: 1) the development of internal capacity and psychological stability, and 2) the cultivation of public consciousness and harmonious coexistence. This framework is grounded in core Buddhi-Panya qualities, namely diligence, mental clarity, generosity, and compassion. The study highlights that sustainable youth development requires an integrated approach that systematically connects internal psychological transformation with external ethical and social behaviors.