Laura Carstensen

Socioemotional Selectivity Theory

Laura L. Carstensen (1953–Present) is an American developmental psychologist and founding director of the Stanford Center on Longevity. She is best known for developing Socioemotional Selectivity Theory (SST), a groundbreaking lifespan theory of motivation that explains how our perception of time influences our goals, motivations, and social interactions, particularly in later adulthood. Carstensen’s work provides a compelling explanation for why older adults often report higher levels of emotional well-being despite experiencing physical and social losses, challenging common negative stereotypes about aging.

Key Concepts and Contributions:

Perceived Time Horizon: The central tenet of SST is that people’s goals change as a function of their perception of time.

Open-ended Time Horizon: When individuals perceive their future time as expansive (typical of young adulthood), they tend to prioritize future-oriented goals related to acquiring knowledge, exploring new social contacts, and expanding their horizons (e.g., career planning, learning new skills, building diverse networks).
Limited Time Horizon: As individuals perceive their future time as more constrained (typical of middle and late adulthood, or in any situation where time is limited, like facing a serious illness), their goals shift towards present-oriented objectives related to emotional meaning, emotional regulation, and deep, satisfying relationships.

Motivational Shifts and Social Networks: This shift in perceived time leads to specific changes in social behavior and motivation:

Increased Selectivity in Social Partners: Older adults become more selective in their social networks, pruning peripheral relationships and investing more deeply in emotionally meaningful connections with close family and long-standing friends. This is not a sign of disengagement but an active choice to maximize positive emotional experiences and minimize emotional risks.
Emotion Regulation: The prioritization of emotional goals leads to more effective emotion regulation. Older adults tend to focus on maximizing positive emotions and minimizing negative ones, often showing a “positivity effect” in attention and memory (preferring positive over negative information).
Quality over Quantity: The theory suggests that as people age, they prioritize the quality of their social interactions over the sheer quantity of contacts.

Significance for Adult Development and Aging:

Carstensen’s work holds immense significance for gerontology and adult development for several reasons:

Positive View of Aging: SST offers a powerful counter-narrative to deficit models of aging, explaining why emotional well-being often remains stable or even improves in later life despite declines in other areas. It highlights adaptive strategies that lead to successful aging.
Understanding Social Behavior in Later Life: It provides a compelling explanation for common observations about older adults’ social behavior, such as their preference for familiar social partners and their focus on maintaining close family ties. This helps understand the interpersonal dynamics of later adulthood.
Role of Motivation in Lifespan Development: Carstensen’s theory emphasizes that motivation is not static but dynamically changes across the lifespan based on time perception, influencing a wide array of cognitive and social behaviors crucial for adult adaptation.
Implications for Interventions: SST has informed interventions aimed at promoting well-being in older adults by emphasizing activities and relationships that foster emotional meaning and satisfaction. It suggests that supporting strong social bonds is key to positive aging.

In summary, Laura Carstensen’s Socioemotional Selectivity Theory provides a crucial framework for understanding how the perception of time shapes adult motivation, goal priorities, and social behavior across the lifespan. Her work profoundly contributes to gerontology by explaining the adaptive strategies that enable older adults to maintain high levels of emotional well-being and satisfaction by prioritizing emotionally meaningful relationships and goals.