Exploring semantic expression disparities in intragenerational and intergenerational communication: A novel perspective on socioemotional selectivity theory.
Journal
Psychology and Aging
Journal Volume
40
Journal Issue
3
Start Page
308
End Page
317
ISSN
1939-1498
0882-7974
Date Issued
2025-05
Author(s)
Zeng, Peng-Yu
Abstract
The Socioemotional Selectivity Theory (SST) posits that older and younger adults have different life goals due to differences in perceived remaining lifetime. Younger adults focus more on future-oriented knowledge exploration and forming new friendships, while older adults prioritize present-focused emotional regulation and maintaining close relationships. While previous research has found these age differences manifest in autobiographical textual expressions, their presence in verbal communication remains unexplored. We recruited 36 older adults and 36 younger adults to form 12 younger adults–younger adults dyads, 12 older adults–older adults dyads, and 12 younger adults–older adults dyads engaging in three conversational scenarios. Analysis of communication transcripts using Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count revealed that in intragenerational communication, older adults used more present-focused and family-related words, and fewer future-focused, negative emotion, and knowledge acquisition words compared to younger adults, aligning with SST predictions. However, in intergenerational communication, younger and older adults showed similar patterns in future-focused, cognitive, and family-related language use. This suggests that participants adjusted their goal orientations to accommodate each other, mitigating the age differences proposed by SST and partially supporting the Interpersonal Cognitive Consistency Model. These findings indicate that while SST explains semantic expressions in intragenerational communication, group dynamics toward verbal consistency play a more vital role in intergenerational communication.
Subjects
age difference
communication
Interpersonal Cognitive Consistency Theory
Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count
Socioemotional Selectivity Theory
SDGs
Publisher
American Psychological Association (APA)
Type
journal article