2004/01/01 by Helene H. Fung, Laura L. Carstensen · 3 citations
Psychology · #Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction #Psychological and Temporal Perspectives Research #Behavioral Health and Interventions #Socioemotional selectivity theory #Psychology #Meaning (existential) #Cognitive psychology #Social psychology #Developmental psychology #Psychotherapist
paper · doi:10.1037/0882-7974.19.1.68
openalex publication_date 2004/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
Socioemotional selectivity theory contends that when people perceive time as limited, they prioritize emotionally meaningful goals. Although empirical support for the theory has been found in several studies, 2 alternative explanations for the pattern of findings remain: (a) emotional goals are pursued by default because nonemotional goals are blocked, and (b) emotional goals are pursued in search of emotional support rather than emotional meaning. This study tested these alternatives by examining social goals in response to blocked goals and foreshortened time. Findings reveal distinct motivational patterns, as reflected in social preferences and self-reported social goals, in response to the 2 types of constraints.