title: People search for meaning when they approach a new decade in chronological age.
abstract: Although humans measure time using a continuous scale, certain numerical ages inspire greater self-reflection than others. Six studies show that adults undertake a search for existential meaning when they approach a new decade in age (e.g., at ages 29, 39, 49, etc.) or imagine entering a new epoch, which leads them to behave in ways that suggest an ongoing or failed search for meaning (e.g., by exercising more vigorously, seeking extramarital affairs, or choosing to end their lives).
authors.affiliation: Marketing Department, Stern School of Business, New York University, New York, NY 10012; and aalter@stern.nyu.edu.
authors.forename: Adam L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Alter
authors.affiliation: Marketing Department, Anderson School of Management, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095.
authors.forename: Hal E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Hershfield
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: aging; decade; life-span development; meaning in life; time