Aging and Cognitive Functioning: The Impact of Goals and Motivation

doi:10.1017/9781108552684.021

18 - Aging and Cognitive Functioning: The Impact of Goals and Motivation

from Part III - Aging in a Socioemotional Context

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 28 May 2020

Thomas M. Hess

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Ayanna K. Thomas and

Angela Gutchess

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Ayanna K. Thomas: Affiliation:
Tufts University, Massachusetts
Angela Gutchess: Affiliation:
Brandeis University, Massachusetts

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Summary

Traditional perspectives on the study of aging and cognition have focused on what has been characterized as “cold cognition.” However, recent theoretical and empirical advances have emphasized the need to examine age differences in the factors that energize and direct cognitive activity (i.e., “hot cognition”). In the present chapter, the roles of goals and motivation are considered in terms of both explaining age differences in performance and characterizing adaptive functioning in later life. As an illustration of goal influences, three different perspectives associated with normative changes in goals across adulthood – social cognitive goals, socioemotional goals, and goal priorities – are discussed, along with their impact on cognition. The impact of aging on motivational processes associated with energizing, directing, and sustaining actions directed toward achieving goals is then considered, using selective engagement as an organizational framework.

Keywords

costs and benefits effort future-time perspective goals motivation positivity selection optimization and compensation (SOC) model selective engagement theory social-cognitive goals socioemotional selectivity theory

Type: Chapter
Information: The Cambridge Handbook of Cognitive Aging
A Life Course Perspective
, pp. 332 - 349

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108552684.021 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2020

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