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Socio-Emotional Selectivity Theory

Written by the Fiveable Content Team โ€ข Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโ€ขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โ€ข Last updated August 2025

Definition

Socio-emotional selectivity theory is a psychological theory that suggests as people age, they prioritize the pursuit of emotional satisfaction and meaningful relationships over acquiring new information or expanding their social networks.

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