Final answer:
Socioemotional selectivity theory explains why older adults often focus their time and social energy on familiar individuals and family, prioritizing emotional satisfaction in their relationships.
Step-by-step explanation:
The theory that explains why older adults spend most of their time with familiar individuals and family is the socioemotional selectivity theory. This theory suggests that as individuals grow older, their focus shifts towards emotional goals, leading them to prioritize social relationships that are most meaningful and fulfilling. Older adults tend to spend more time with familiar individuals and family because these relationships provide them with a sense of emotional satisfaction and support.
The theory that explains why older adults spend most of their time with familiar individuals and family is known as socioemotional selectivity theory. This theory, proposed by Carstensen, posits that as people age, they become more selective about their social networks. Older adults prioritize their emotional needs by focusing on relationships that are most meaningful to them, often leading to a smaller, yet closer social circle comprised of family and long-standing friends. Contrary to engagement models like activity theory, which suggests happiness stems from maintaining activity levels and social involvement, socioemotional selectivity theory explains the natural inclination of older adults to conserve social energy for significant relationships and emotional satisfaction.