Motivational orientation in adulthood: Correlates and mechanisms of age-related differences in approach and avoidance

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Natalie Christina Ebner
• Subject Area: Developmental and Educational Psychology
• Term: from 2006 to 2009
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 34958454

Earlier research has shown that young and older adults differ in the orientation of their personal goals. Young adults show a primary orientation toward growth, whereas orientations toward maintenance of functioning and loss-prevention become more salient in old age. This age-related shift is also represented in generalized expectations about age-group differences in goal orientations. Moreover, orientation toward loss-prevention seems to be maladaptive in young age, whereas maintenance orientation becomes beneficial in old age. This project aims at investigating correlates and mechanisms of age-group differences in motivational orientation and exploring the relations between motivation, emotions, and neural processes in approach-avoidance orientations. Specifically, it examines the neural correlates of age-related differences in approach and avoidance on the level of goals (personal goal orientation) and identifies the mechanisms of generalized expectations about motivational orientation. The findings will contribute to a better understanding of human ontogeny in terms of an age-related shift in motivational orientation that refers to developmental change processes in brain and behavior.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: USA
• Host: Professorin Dr. Marcia K. Johnson