The Influence of a Sense of Time on Human Development

Laura L. Carstensen

doi:10.1126/science.1127488

journal article Jun 30, 2006

The Influence of a Sense of Time on Human Development

Laura L. Carstensen

Science Vol. 312 No. 5782 pp. 1913-1915 · American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

View at Publisher Save 10.1126/science.1127488

Abstract

The subjective sense of future time plays an essential role in human motivation. Gradually, time left becomes a better predictor than chronological age for a range of cognitive, emotional, and motivational variables. Socioemotional selectivity theory maintains that constraints on time horizons shift motivational priorities in such a way that the regulation of emotional states becomes more important than other types of goals. This motivational shift occurs with age but also appears in other contexts (for example, geographical relocations, illnesses, and war) that limit subjective future time.

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The research program described herein has been generously supported by grant RO18816 from the National Institute on Aging.

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1,860

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References

Details

Published: Jun 30, 2006
Vol/Issue: 312(5782)
Pages: 1913-1915

Authors

L

Laura L. Carstensen

Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305–2130, USA.

Cite This Article

Laura L. Carstensen (2006). The Influence of a Sense of Time on Human Development. Science, 312(5782), 1913-1915. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1127488

The Influence of a Sense of Time on Human Development

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