Socioemotional Selectivity Theory (SST) is a scientific model that explains how people's goals and preferences change over the lifespan. It suggests that as people age, they become increasingly selective in how they choose to invest their time and energy. This theory is based on the idea that people prioritize socioemotional goals as they age, such as relationships with family and friends, and meaningful engagement in activities. SST has been used to explain how people make decisions about their social activities and how they use their cognitive resources. It has also been used to explain why people may experience a decline in cognitive functioning as they age. One of the key aspects of SST is the idea that people's goals and motivations change as they age. When people are young, they tend to focus on future-oriented goals, such as career and education. As they get older, however, they become more focused on present-oriented goals, such as enjoying time with loved ones and engaging in activities that bring them pleasure. This shift in goals is thought to be driven by the realization that time is limited, and that people want to make the most of the time they have left. Another important aspect of SST is the idea that people become more selective in their social relationships as they age. This means that older people tend to invest more time and energy in relationships with people who make them feel good, rather than those that might cause them stress or anxiety. This selectivity is thought to be driven by a desire for emotional satisfaction and a need for social support. SST has important implications for understanding the aging process and for developing interventions that can help older adults maintain their cognitive and emotional well-being. By understanding the goals and motivations of older adults, researchers and practitioners can develop interventions that are tailored to their needs and preferences. For example, interventions that focus on promoting social engagement and emotional support may be more effective in promoting well-being in older adults than interventions that focus solely on cognitive training.
SST, aging, socioemotional goals, social relationships, emotional satisfaction
CITATION : "Matthew Anderson. 'Socioemotional Selectivity Theory.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=357167 (Accessed on July 16, 2025)"
Socioemotional Selectivity Theory is the idea that people are more likely to invest in relationships that will make them feel good and bring them joy as they age. This theory suggests that as people get older, they become more selective in their choice of relationships, focusing on those that will make them feel rewarded and emotionally satisfied. This means that older people tend to invest more time and energy in relationships with people who make them feel good, rather than those that might cause them stress or anxiety.
Age, relationships, emotional satisfaction, cognitive bias, logical fallacies.
Socioemotional Selectivity Theory (SST) is a scientific model that explains how people's goals and preferences change over the lifespan. It suggests that people become increasingly selective in how they choose to invest their time and energy as they age. This theory is based on the idea that people prioritize socioemotional goals as they age, such as relationships with family and friends, and meaningful engagement in activities. SST has been used to explain how people make decisions about their social activities and how they use their cognitive resources. It has also been used to explain why people may experience a decline in cognitive functioning as they age. SST has been applied to a variety of research topics, including memory, decision-making, and emotional regulation.
SST, cognitive biases, logical fallacies, lifespan, socioemotional goals, decision-making, emotional regulation, memory.
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