Socioemotional Selectivity Theory Coursework Example

Socioemotional Selectivity Theory
Name
Institution
Socioemotional Selectivity Theory
Socioemotional functioning evolves with age. However, there is no point in life that the feeling of being rooted in a more significant social group reduces nor does the distressing effects of loneliness diminish. Intense emotions including facial and subjective feelings and integrity remain even at old age. Nonetheless, social and emotional changes occur as evidenced by narrowed social networks associated with old people. This is due to the increased need to invest in relationships that are more meaningful. Older people tend to experience impaired physical functioning, which compromises the ability to participate in social activities, the psychological function is significantly affected as well in old age. According to the socioemotional selectivity theory motivation changes as people, grow older this accounts for the increased desire for maintaining meaningful relationships (Charles & Carstensen, 2010). Unlike young people, older people do not view the future as expansive, on the contrary, their time horizons are restrained, and their goals focus on emotional meaning.
Investing in healthy relationships is beneficial in the sense that strong social networks tend to facilitate better emotional well-being and reduced suffering during stressing times. More so, in old age, social circles have a high impact on cognitive functioning. Studies have shown that older people who are rooted in healthy relationships and intense social activities are less likely to experience declined cognitive functioning (Charles & Carstensen, 2010).

Emotional satisfaction can also be helpful to people in other stages of development, as it has been associated with positive outcomes such as better cognitive functioning and a reduced risk of mortality and morbidity. Typically, decreased emotional satisfaction has been linked to overall deterioration in health as evidenced by physical indicators such as depressive symptoms, blood pressure, and immune responses. Therefore, if people maintain meaningful relationships even in earlier stages of life, they could avoid adverse consequences that come along with low emotional satisfaction.

References
Charles, S., & Carstensen, L. L. (2010). Social and Emotional Aging. Annual Review of Psychology, 61, 383–409. http://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.093008.100448