The theory behind the age-related positivity effect.

Andrew E Reed,Laura L Carstensen

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2012.00339

Andrew E Reed, Laura L Carstensen

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2012.00339

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Journal: Frontier in Psychology	Publication Date: Jan 1, 2012
Citations: 577	License type: cc-by

Affiliation: Stanford University

Abstract

The “positivity effect” refers to an age-related trend that favors positive over negative stimuli in cognitive processing. Relative to their younger counterparts, older people attend to and remember more positive than negative information. Since the effect was initially identified and the conceptual basis articulated (Mather and Carstensen, 2005) scores of independent replications and related findings have appeared in the literature. Over the same period, a number of investigations have failed to observe age differences in the cognitive processing of emotional material. When findings are considered in theoretical context, a reliable pattern of evidence emerges that helps to refine conceptual tenets. In this article we articulate the operational definition and theoretical foundations of the positivity effect and review the empirical evidence based on studies of visual attention, memory, decision making, and neural activation. We conclude with a discussion of future research directions with emphasis on the conditions where a focus on positive information may benefit and/or impair cognitive performance in older people.

Highlights

Reviewed by: Lynden Miles, University of Aberdeen, UK Mara Mather, University of Southern California, USA Derek Isaacowitz, Northeastern University, USA
According to socioemotional selectivity theory (SST), a core constellation of goals operates throughout adulthood, including basic goals associated with attachment and control as well as goals associated with instrumental needs and emotional gratification
In reviewing the empirical literature we focus on three key conceptual issues: First, we present evidence suggesting that the positivity effect represents controlled processing not cognitive decline

Summary

Introduction

Reviewed by: Lynden Miles, University of Aberdeen, UK Mara Mather, University of Southern California, USA Derek Isaacowitz, Northeastern University, USA. THE THEORY BEHIND THE AGE-RELATED POSITIVITY EFFECT The positivity effect refers to a relative preference in older adults (compared to younger adults) for positive over negative material in cognitive processing.

Results

Conclusion