Socioemotional selectivity theory states that as we age, we become increasingly aware of our shortening future time horizon. This awareness leads us to prioritize emotional meaning, emotion regulation, and well-being. There is also a developing positivity effect—older adults pay more attention to and remember more positive experiences than younger adults do. Together, these may help buffer against declines in objective well-being and lead to initial increases in subjective feelings of well-being and positivity in older adults.
