Final answer:
The concept of 'selective optimization with compensation' involves maintaining useful capacities and letting go of less useful ones as we age.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept of 'selective optimization with compensation' involves both maintaining capacities one considers most useful as one grows older and letting go of those that are less useful. According to Baltes and Baltes (1990), successful personal development throughout the life course and mastery of everyday life challenges are based on three components: selection, optimization, and compensation. This theory recognizes that as we age, our energy diminishes, and we need to select personal goals, optimize our efforts, and compensate for the loss of certain abilities by using alternative strategies.