+ Feelings go up after midlife - feelings subside after midlife Older adults use more + words to describe emotions Older adults pay less attention to - stimuli Amygdala diminishes in responsiveness to - stimuli and retains its responsiveness to +
As the years go by feelings mellow Highs less high, lows less low There is stability of well being across the life span Adult moods are less extreme but more enduring Old age offers less intense joy but greater contentment and increased spirituality As we age, life becomes less an emotional rollercoaster, more like paddling a canoe