title: [Perspectives of psychological aging research].
abstract: Psychological aging research (PAF) focuses on age-related changes and behavioral stability (e.g. structure of social relations), performance and competences (e.g. cognitive functioning) as well as experiences (e.g. well-being) in advanced age. Knowledge is based in particular on currently available longitudinal studies, which historically for the first time allow very long observational periods (nearly across the complete life span). Additionally, innovative statistical analytical methods co-developed in the PAF nowadays allow a better understanding of the dynamics of change than ever before. This results in a new picture of psychological aging that confirms the multifaceted strengths of human aging but also reveals new risks of the current "prolonged aging".
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Psychologische Alternsforschung, Psychologisches Institut der Universität Heidelberg, Bergheimer Straße 20, 69115, Heidelberg, Deutschland. hans-werner.wahl@psychologie.uni-heidelberg.de.
authors.forename: H-W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Wahl
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Psychologische Alternsforschung, Psychologisches Institut der Universität Heidelberg, Bergheimer Straße 20, 69115, Heidelberg, Deutschland. mona.diegelmann@psychologie.uni-heidelberg.de.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Diegelmann
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D011584:Psychology / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012919:Social Behavior
keywords: Age stereotype; Aging sociology; Geriatrics; Life expectation; Selectivity theory, socioemotional