Oldsters double their enjoyment over youngsters

William Atkins
Tuesday, 17 June 2008 22:35

Science - Health

The researchers noted that the younger members often commented about the hassles of getting out and doing things socially--the negatives.

The youngsters commented on such negatives as heavy traffic, difficulties in finding parking spots, troubles just getting ready in order to be with friends and family for social outings, and other negatives often associated with socializing.

However, the older members commented more frequently on the positive aspects of the social get-together.

They found positive things to say about the socializing experiences they had and the benefits to getting together with friends and family members.

Von Hippel adds, "Older people seem better at taking life as it comes. We forget that older people are good at this. We look at our grandparents and say, 'They are not getting out much, they must be dissatisfied with life." [Sydney Morning Herald: “Oldies know how to get a life”]

Von Hippel notes a possible reason why older people are enjoying life more than younger people. He states, "One possible reason is that they are a lot more positive in general than younger adults." [SMH]

The Queensland professor also contends that the reason could be biological in nature.

Over the years, the amygdale (corpus amygdaloideum), a part of the brain, becomes smaller in size as humans age. This part of the brain helps to process and control emotions, primarily the emotions that scientists consider negative in nature, such as anger, rage, and fear.

When the amygdale--almond-shaped groups of neurons deep within the medial temporal lobes of the brain--becomes smaller, people tend to have less negative emotions (and more positive ones) and, thus, are more content with their lives.

Von Hippel concludes, "They [the younger subjects] are thinking about tomorrow …. If your spouse survives to be with you, and you are physically healthy they [the later years] can be the best time of your life." [SMH]