Final answer:
Socioemotional selectivity is a true concept that involves older adults focusing their social interactions on a smaller, chosen set of close relationships and prioritizing meaningful goals, which contributes to emotional well-being and social support as they age.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement is True. Socioemotional selectivity is a concept primarily developed by Laura L. Carstensen, which suggests that as people age, they tend to narrow their social networks to a smaller size but increase the emotional quality of their relationships. Older adults often focus their energies and attention on obtaining emotionally meaningful experiences, and they prioritize close relationships over acquiring new social contacts. This demonstrates a motivational shift that optimizes emotional well-being by investing in what is most emotionally important, typically a highly selected group of loved ones and specific, meaningful goals.
Socioemotional selectivity is part of a broader theory of social connectedness and social support that emphasizes the importance of emotional intimacy and quality relationships in positive aging. These relationships are maintained intentionally, reflecting both the individual's life history and their anticipation of future interactions. As explained by Carstensen's socioemotional selectivity theory, these changes in social priorities are adaptive and help maintain a sense of satisfaction and emotional well-being in older age.