Authors
Hal Ersner-Hershfield, Joseph A Mikels, Sarah J Sullivan, Laura L Carstensen
Publication date
2008/1
Journal
Journal of personality and social psychology
Volume
94
Issue
1
Pages
158
Publisher
American Psychological Association
Description
The experience of mixed emotions increases with age. Socioemotional selectivity theory suggests that mixed emotions are associated with shifting time horizons. Theoretically, perceived constraints on future time increase appreciation for life, which, in turn, elicits positive emotions such as happiness. Yet, the very same temporal constraints heighten awareness that these positive experiences come to an end, thus yielding mixed emotional states. In 2 studies, the authors examined the link between the awareness of anticipated endings and mixed emotional experience. In Study 1, participants repeatedly imagined being in a meaningful location. Participants in the experimental condition imagined being in the meaningful location for the final time. Only participants who imagined “last times” at meaningful locations experienced more mixed emotions. In Study 2, college seniors reported their emotions on graduation day …
Total citations
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Scholar articles
H Ersner-Hershfield, JA Mikels, SJ Sullivan… - Journal of personality and social psychology, 2008