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Updated: Jun 17, 2026
10:13
Assessment of Age-related Changes in Cognitive Functions Using EmoCogMeter, a Novel Tablet-computer Based Approach
Published on: February 14, 2014
Emotional aging: recent findings and future trends
Susanne Scheibe1, Laura L Carstensen
1Department of Psychology, Stanford University, 450 Serra Mall, Stanford, CA 94305-2130. scheibe@stanford.edu
Summary
Older adults often maintain emotional well-being and stability, contrary to expectations of decline. This research explores how emotional motivation and competence contribute to positive emotions in later life.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
Background:
- Research on aging often focuses on cognitive and physical decline.
- However, emotional aging studies indicate high affective well-being and emotional stability in older adults.
- This contrasts with the typical decline narrative.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how age-related changes in emotional motivation and competence influence positive affect trajectories.
- To synthesize recent literature on emotional processing and regulation in older adults.
- To explore the interplay between emotion and cognition, including the positivity effect.
Main Methods:
- Overview of correlational and experimental studies.
- Inclusion of behavioral and neuroscience evidence.
- Focus on emotion-cognition interactions.
Main Results:
- Most older adults maintain high levels of affective well-being and emotional stability.
- Age-related changes in emotional motivation and competence contribute to positive affect.
- Evidence from diverse study types supports these findings.
Conclusions:
- Emotional aging is characterized by sustained well-being for many.
- Understanding emotional functioning is key to quality of life in later years.
- Future research should integrate brain function measures and interventions for older adults.
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