Subjective well-being is thought to remain relatively stable into old age despite health-related losses. Age and functional health constraints were examined as predictors of individual differences intraindividual change in subjective well-being, indicated by positive negative affect, using cross-sectional (N = 516) longitudinal 203) samples from the Berlin Aging Study (age range 70-103 years). In analyses, negatively related affect but unrelated affect. Cross-sectionally, controlling for...

Past studies have suggested that the intensity of subjective reactions to emotion-arousing stimuli remains stable, whereas magnitude autonomic declines with age. The goal present was investigate whether this evidence will generalize newly edited films dealing age-relevant themes such as loss loved ones. In Study 1, greater self-reported sadness found in older than younger adults response all films. Findings 2, which were based on an independent sample, replicated those 1. addition, 6...

This study investigated age differences in the ability to suppress and amplify expressive behavior during emotional arousal. Young old participants viewed 3 film clips about medical procedures while their behavioral, autonomic, subjective responses were recorded. Half of all films without additional instructions; other half was asked behavioral expression 2nd 3rd films. Except for heart rate, suppression amplification produced similar patterns autonomic activation. Neither nor had effects on...

Abstract. Does personality stay stable after young adulthood or is there continued change throughout middle and later adulthood? For decades, this question has caused heated debate. Over the last couple of years, a consensus emerged based on recent cross-cultural as well longitudinal evidence. This confirms that indeed in adulthood. Many authors have labeled maturation growth. In somewhat simplified terms observed pattern follows: neuroticism declines, conscientiousness agreeableness...

This study investigated age differences in cognitive and affective facets of empathy: the ability to perceive another's emotions accurately, capacity share emotions, behaviorally express sympathy an empathic episode. Participants, 80 younger (M(age) = 32 years) 73 older 59 adults, viewed eight film clips, each portraying a or adult thinking-aloud about emotionally engaging topic that was relevant either adults adults. In comparison their counterparts, generally reported expressed greater...

There are several legitimate ways of conceptualizing and studying wisdom. One is largely informed by Western philosophy treats wisdom as an analytic theory expert knowledge, judgment, advice about difficult uncertain matters life. Another more consistent with Asian philosophical non-secularized traditions instantiated wise persons or their products. The second approach always but approximation to the analytically constructed utopia Wise approximations wisdom, they not Ardelt’s critique our...

Perhaps the most important single finding in field of emotional aging has been that overall quality affective experience steadily improves during adulthood and can be maintained into old age. Recent lifespan developmental theories have provided motivation- experience-based explanations for this phenomenon. These suggest that, as individuals grow older, they become increasingly motivated able to regulate their emotions, which could result reduced negativity enhanced positivity. The objective...

This study investigated age differences in empathy, focusing on empathic accuracy (the ability to perceive another's emotions accurately), emotional congruence capacity share emotions), and sympathy. Participants, 101 younger (Mage = 24 years) older 69 women, viewed 6 film clips, each portraying a or an woman reliving thinking aloud about autobiographical memory. The quality (anger, sadness, happiness) the relevance (young, old) of memorized events were systematically varied. In comparison...

Although control beliefs are thought to be pivotal contributors emotional well-being in old age, questions remain about the specific and long-term implications of different types beliefs. We examined three generalized (personal over desirable outcomes, personal responsibility for undesirable perceived others' control) their associations with (positive negative affect) using cross-sectional (N = 516) longitudinal 206) samples from Berlin Aging Study (age range 70–103 years). Relationships...

This study examined the impact of context information on emotion recognition from a life-span developmental perspective. The main prediction was that age-related deficits in will only be evident context-poor tasks.A sample 48 younger (M(age) = 23 years) and 35 older women 70 watched film clips, each depicting female target who talked about an emotional biographical episode expressed one three emotions (i.e., happiness, sadness, or anger). Half films were presented without sound (context-poor...

Using cross-sectional and longitudinal data from a national sample spanning the adult life span, age differences in anger sadness were explored. The findings consistently suggest that frequency of increases during young adulthood, but then shows steady decrease until old age. By contrast, remains stable over most adulthood begins to increase In addition, effects on happiness investigated; evidence speaks for across groups, within-person decline was only evident Together provide further...

Abstract Objective This study examines how attachment orientations are associated with emotional reactivity (i.e., experience and expression) during couples' comforting conversations, as well age‐related differences in these associations. Background Effective support times of need is essential for maintaining intimate relationships. While it documented that anxiety avoidance significantly challenge partners' interactions, research on styles affect situations remains lacking. Method The...

Subjective well-being is thought to remain relatively stable into old age despite health-related losses. Age and functional health constraints were examined as predictors of individual differences intraindividual change in subjective well-being, indicated by positive negative affect, using cross-sectional (N = 516) longitudinal 203) samples from the Berlin Aging Study (age range 70-103 years). In analyses, negatively related affect but unrelated affect. Cross-sectionally, controlling for...

In cross-sectional and longitudinal samples from the Berlin Aging Study, fellow researchers I examined performance-based self-evaluative indicators of functioning in two realms as predictors individual differences intraindividual changes positive negative affect. Cross-sectional structural equation models suggested that (level social involvement test intelligence) were associated with affect, but not Evaluative (self-reported quality life mental fitness) showed stronger relations to affect...

Recent findings suggest positivity effects in older adults' attention and memory, but few studies have examined such on the level of emotional reactivity. In this study, 52 young adults rated 172 pictures International Affective Picture System, differing arousal age-relevance, terms valence discrete emotions. Age differences ratio pleasantness reactions to pleasant vs. unpleasantness unpleasant as well age absolute levels that subjective are reduced under high arousal. There is also evidence...

Objectives.Contrary to lay theories, past work does not suggest robust age differences in wisdom-related knowledge across the adult life span. This study investigated a potential moderator of knowledge: The relevance given wisdom task.

Empathy-which typically instigates prosocial behavior-comprises both cognitive and affective facets.Research suggests that the facet of empathy (empathic accuracy) declines with age, whereas facets (emotional congruence sympathy) remain stable or increase age.Going beyond main effects we tested whether working in occupations varying emotional job demands (EJDs) moderates age on empathy.We predicted emotionally demanding provide opportunities to practice and, as a result, may lessen negative...

Age differences in anger and sadness were explored, focusing on the intensity frequency of these experiences everyday life their implicit associations with self. Ninety-six young older adults participated Day Reconstruction Method, which emotional a typical day recorded, 2 association tests assessing self-concepts for sadness. Older experienced less frequently intensively than adults, but there no age In comparison younger counterparts, showed greater IAT effect test, suggesting weaker...

The authors provide a review of selected laboratory research on age differences in emotional functioning. propose that this area would benefit from an ecological approach which the immediate context functioning is more explicitly considered. More specifically, to date many studies have used stimuli and tasks with little validity did not consider possibility setting stimulus material might age-differential effects outcome measures. This practice may led inconsistent findings across narrow or...