At the Intersection of Emotion and Cognition

2005 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 117-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura L. Carstensen ◽  
Joseph A. Mikels
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Age Differences ◽  
Developmental Trajectories ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Processing Capacity ◽  
Socioemotional Selectivity Theory ◽  
Emotional Information ◽  
Socioemotional Selectivity ◽  
Theoretical Position

Divergent trajectories characterize the aging mind: Processing capacity declines, while judgment, knowledge, and emotion regulation are relatively spared. We maintain that these different developmental trajectories have implications for emotion–cognition interactions. Following an overview of our theoretical position, we review empirical studies indicating that (a) older adults evidence superior cognitive performance for emotional relative to non-emotional information, (b) age differences are most evident when the emotional content is positively as opposed to negatively valenced, and (c) differences can be accounted for by changes in motivation posited in socioemotional selectivity theory.

scholarly journals EFFECTS OF AGE ON CONNECTION TO NATURE AND POSITIVE AFFECT

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S278-S278
Author(s):  
Amy Knepple Carney ◽  
Julie Patrick
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Age Differences ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Socioemotional Selectivity Theory ◽  
Connection To Nature ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Socioemotional Selectivity

Abstract Socioemotional selectivity theory positis that when we feel our time as limited, when a person ages, emotion based goals become a priority (Carstensen, Isaacowitz, & Charles, 1999). Although previous studies have shown that all age groups benefit from a connection to nature (CN; Bisceglia, Perlman, Schaack, & Jenkins, 2009; Han, 2008; Mayer et al., 2009), there have been no studies conducted to determine if there are age differences in CN and how that relation contributes to positive affect. Analyses were conducted with a sample size of 152 participants with an average age of 37.55 years (SD = 15.64; Range 18 -89). Age was significantly positively associated with CN, r(151)=.16, p<.05. Additionally, an ANOVA showed that middle-aged to older adults reporting significantly higher CN than younger adults. The relation of positive affect to age and CN was then examined. In the analysis examining the effects of age and CN on positive affect, the model was significant, F(3, 146)=8.48, p<.05, R2 = .15. Both, CN, and age, uniquely contributed to the variance accounted for on positive affect, although, the interaction of CN and age did not uniquely contribute to the variance. These results may be indicative of socioemotional selectively theory, in that older adults were choosing connection to nature because it fulfilled more emotional activities/goals than the younger adults in the study. Because previous research has all but ignored the association of CN and age and their relation to positive affect, it should be considered in future research.

Motivational Processes in Emotional Aging

2021 ◽  
pp. 66-83
Author(s):  
Hannah Wolfe ◽  
Derek Isaacowitz
Keyword(s):  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Age Differences ◽  
Time Perspective ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Time Perspective ◽  
Attention And Memory ◽  
Socioemotional Selectivity Theory ◽  
Socioemotional Selectivity ◽  
Age Related

This chapter considers the role of motivation in emotion-cognition links and how goals may relate to age differences (and similarities) in emotion regulation. Socioemotional selectivity theory (SST) posits that, as their future time perspective shrinks, older adults become more motivated to prioritize their emotional well-being and exhibit “positivity effects” in attention and memory. After reviewing basic evidence on age-related positivity effects, the chapter turns to studies that have attempted to highlight the role of goals specifically in contributing to age-related positivity effects. While some studies suggest that goals are important in producing age differences in emotion-cognition links, others have not found support for clear links to goals. The chapter considers these mixed findings in the context of recent work suggesting fewer age differences in emotion regulation than might be expected, as well as presents goals other than emotion regulation that may drive age differences in cognition.

scholarly journals Characterizing age-related positivity effects in situation selection

2017 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 396-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Molly Sands ◽  
Kimberly M. Livingstone ◽  
Derek M. Isaacowitz
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Age Differences ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Older Age ◽  
Emotional Information ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Emotion Regulation Strategy ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Existing Data

Situation selection – choosing to enter or avoid situations based on how they will likely make you feel – is theorized to be a useful emotion regulation strategy, especially in older age. However, research on the use of situation selection for emotion regulation is limited, and the existing findings about age differences are mixed, with some studies finding age differences and others not. We investigated whether there are overall age differences in the types of emotional situations people select by conducting a “mini” meta-analysis to synthesize all existing data from a situation selection paradigm used in our laboratory. We also explored potential moderators of age differences in situation selection, including properties of the stimuli options and information available to participants. We did not find overall age differences in the emotional situations younger and older adults select, though age differences are larger in contexts in which emotional information is more relevant or highly arousing.

scholarly journals Age differences in preferences for emotionally-meaningful versus knowledge-related appeals

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Margot J. van der Goot ◽  
Nadine Bol ◽  
Julia C. M. van Weert
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Life Span ◽  
Age Differences ◽  
Grocery Stores ◽  
Socioemotional Selectivity Theory ◽  
Communication Research ◽  
Persuasive Messages ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Socioemotional Selectivity ◽  
Cancer Centers

AbstractSocioemotional selectivity theory (SST), an influential life-span theory, suggests that older adults prefer persuasive messages that appeal to emotionally-meaningful goals over messages that appeal to knowledge-related goals, whereas younger adults do not show this preference. A mixed-factorial experiment was conducted to test whether older adults (≥65 years) differ from younger adults (25–45 years) in their preference for emotionally-meaningful appeals over knowledge-related appeals, when appeals are clearly developed in line with SST. For older adults we found the expected preference for emotionally-meaningful appeals for cancer centers but not for grocery stores and travel organizations. As expected, in most cases, younger adults did not show a preference. Implications for SST-based communication research and for practice are discussed.

Video Games and Emotion Regulation

GeroPsych ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 205-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn L. Ossenfort ◽  
Derek M. Isaacowitz
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Video Games ◽  
Age Differences ◽  
Interactive Media ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Media Usage ◽  
The Everyday ◽  
Media Preferences

Abstract. Research on age differences in media usage has shown that older adults are more likely than younger adults to select positive emotional content. Research on emotional aging has examined whether older adults also seek out positivity in the everyday situations they choose, resulting so far in mixed results. We investigated the emotional choices of different age groups using video games as a more interactive type of affect-laden stimuli. Participants made multiple selections from a group of positive and negative games. Results showed that older adults selected the more positive games, but also reported feeling worse after playing them. Results supplement the literature on positivity in situation selection as well as on older adults’ interactive media preferences.

scholarly journals Older Adults’ Adaptations to the Call for Social Distancing and Use of Technology: Insights From Socioemotional Selectivity Theory and Lived Experiences

2021 ◽  
pp. 073346482199686
Author(s):  
Shoshana H. Bardach ◽  
Elizabeth K. Rhodus ◽  
Kelly Parsons ◽  
Allison K. Gibson
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Technology Training ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Socioemotional Selectivity Theory ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Socioemotional Selectivity ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Comparison Approach

Social distancing guidelines during COVID can be isolating, especially for older adults, with potential for poor health outcomes. Technology offers opportunities for remote connection, yet, older adults’ use of and perspectives on technology during this time remain largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to gain insight into older adults’ technology use and preferences to inform the development of a technology training intervention to support older adult well-being. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 older adults. Interviews were analyzed using an iterative, constant comparison approach. Findings were consistent with Socioemotional Selectivity Theory; respondents were primarily interested in technology to support emotionally meaningful goals. Participants indicated limited interest in technology training, referencing diminished future time perspectives to explain disinterest. Findings suggest that efforts to encourage older adults’ expanded technology adoption should highlight how use supports emotionally meaningful goals and provide low-effort, timely training, tied to specific and clear applications.

Emotional Control in Adulthood

1997 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 499-507 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasmin Tahmaseb McConatha ◽  
Frances Marshall Leone ◽  
Jill M. Armstrong
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Emotional Control ◽  
Emotional Intensity ◽  
Socioemotional Selectivity Theory ◽  
Emotional Experiences ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Socioemotional Selectivity ◽  
Similarities And Differences ◽  
Age And Sex

Although it is widely believed that emotions vary with age, there is a dearth of information on emotional experiences in later adulthood. Several researchers think that older adults experience less emotional intensity than younger people while others have suggested that aging is accompanied by a decrease in positive affect and an increase in negative emotions. Sex similarities and differences in emotionality have also been documented. This study focuses on age and sex similarities and differences in emotional control. Three hundred and twenty seven men and women aged 19 to 92 years were administered two emotion measures. The results support previous research which suggests that the control of emotions increases with age. In evaluating sex differences in emotional control, women scored as more emotionally expressive than men, a finding which is consistent with previous research. Results are discussed in relation to socioemotional selectivity theory.

scholarly journals USING VR FOR NAVIGATION ASSESSMENT IN OLDER ADULTS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S240-S240
Author(s):  
Scott Moffat
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Age Differences ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Functional Independence ◽  
Spatial Strategies ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Field Of Inquiry

Abstract There has been a long tradition of wayfinding and orienteering studies in humans but these have mostly neglected possible age-related differences in navigation. This field of inquiry is experiencing something of a resurgence of interest due to the development of VR technology which has brought the systematic study of large scale navigation into the laboratory and into the MRI scanning environment. Empirical studies to date identify navigation as an aspect of cognition that is vulnerable to the aging process. Functional and structural neuroimaging studies in humans suggest that age-related changes in the brain’s “navigation circuit” may underlie these behavioral age differences. Older adults also adopt unique spatial strategies and knowledge of these strategy preferences could enlighten both basic science research in spatial cognition and also inform the development of age-specific technological assistance that may extend functional independence of older adults into later life.

scholarly journals Inhibitory control and its relationship to positivity biases in older adults

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caoimhe McManus ◽  
David McGovern
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Recognition Memory ◽  
Inhibitory Control ◽  
Negative Information ◽  
Socioemotional Selectivity Theory ◽  
Positive Information ◽  
Active Suppression ◽  
Positivity Effect ◽  
Socioemotional Selectivity ◽  
Age Related

Older adults tend to focus on positive information over negative information; a phenomenon commonly referred to as the ‘positivity effect’. Socioemotional Selectivity Theory posits that this effect stems from age-related shifts in goals and relies heavily on the active suppression of negative information. The current study tested the hypothesis that inhibitory control is a key determinant of positivity biases in older adults using anti-saccade and recognition memory tasks. Results indicated a significant correlation between levels of inhibitory control and the positivity effect. These findings highlight the key role played by inhibitory control in determining positivity biases amongst older adults.

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