Predicting real-world behaviour: Cognition-emotion links across adulthood and everyday functioning at work

Area of Science:

• Lifespan Psychology
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Adult Development

Background:

• Research shows positive age trends in emotional well-being across adulthood.
• Age differences exist in cognition-emotion interactions (e.g., emotion processing, memory, regulation).

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current research on emotional functioning in adulthood.
• To identify trends and gaps in understanding cognition-emotion interactions.
• To emphasize the need for research predicting real-world behavior.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of lifespan research on adult emotional functioning.
• Analysis of age differences in cognitive-emotional interactions.
• Case study of work functioning to highlight knowledge gaps.

Main Results:

• Four trends in emotional functioning across adulthood were identified.
• Five significant gaps in current knowledge were highlighted.
• The prediction of real-world behavior remains under-researched.

Conclusions:

• Future research should focus on predicting real-world behavior, particularly work functioning.
• Gaps include data on middle-aged adults, cognitive-emotional mechanisms, and life experience.
• Addressing these gaps will enhance the practical utility of emotional aging research.