Encyclopedia of Geropsychology

Living Edition
| Editors: Nancy A. Pachana

Socioemotional Selectivity Theory

  • Tammy EnglishEmail author
  • Laura L. Carstensen
Living reference work entry
First Online:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-287-080-3_110-1
How to cite

Definition

Socioemotional selectivity theory is a life-span theory of motivation that posits age differences in goals result from shrinking time horizons. When time is perceived as expansive, individuals will prioritize information-focused goals. When time is perceived as limited, individuals will prioritize emotion-related goals.

Overview

Socioemotional selectivity theory (SST) is a life-span theory of motivation grounded in the uniquely human ability to monitor time. In particular, the theory posits that age differences in goals result from shrinking time horizons. Goals influence social preferences and the composition of social networks. Because goals also direct cognitive processing, SST postulates that attention, memory, decision-making, and emotional experience are influenced fundamentally by the perception of time. Unlike most developmental theories of adulthood, which place primary emphasis on past experience, SST considers ways in which perceptions of the future change...

Keywords

Social Preference Time Perspective Social Partner Emotional Information Emotional Meaning 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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References

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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media Singapore 2016

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Washington University in St. LouisSt. LouisUSA
  2. 2.Stanford UniversityStanfordUSA