Understanding the Motivational Role of Affect: Life-span Research from an Attributional Perspective

Abstract

A subset of emotions that includes pride, gratitude, guilt, anger, and sympathy are elicited by specific causal ascriptions. In addition, these emotions give rise to distinct behaviours. In this article, two experiments were discussed that examine the attributional antecedents and the behavioural consequences of the five affects listed above. The research participants ranged in age from 5 to 95, so that changes throughout the life span could be examined. Systematic associations as well as developmental trends were found. The picture of the elderly that emerged was one of kindness and altriuism: Pity and helping increased throughout the life span, whereas anger decreased. In addition, relations between attributions, emotions, and judged behaviour did not decrease among the very elderly.