THE DISTRIBUTION OF AFFECT OVER THE LIFE SPAN

Abstract

This study focuses on the effect of age and gender on the distribution of affect over the life span. For the measurement of affect the Life-line Interview Method was selected, a special method for eliciting autobiographical information about important life-events for both past and anticipated future. Results are reported for 98 men and women about equally divided over three age groups (young, middle, and older adulthood). Overall, participants reported as many positive as negative events. The older participants are, the more positive they feel about their past and the more negative they feel about their future. A "positive affect bump" was found for the middle and older age groups who reported relatively more positive events in the period of about 10 to 40 years of age than in other periods of life.