First-years were found to spend a significantly larger portion of their time viewing sad faces than did seniors. Seniors also exhibited significantly higher levels of positive effect than did first-years. |
The study suggests that the way individuals in late life process information enables them to stay on an even emotional keel and feel good. By focusing more on positive things and avoiding negative ones, older adults are able to maintain emotional resilience, which becomes acutely important in the face of dwindling time. |
The theory is based on the argument that any time one's context of time is limited, they will show these positive effects. |