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Cited by 1,281Aging and Gerontology ResearchCognitive Abilities and TestingPsychology of Development and Education

LIFESPAN PSYCHOLOGY: Theory and Application to Intellectual Functioning

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Baltes, Paul B., Staudinger, Ursula M., Lindenberger, Ulman·1999·Annual Review of Psychology
DOI 10.1146/annurev.psych.50.1.471
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Abstract

▪ Abstract The focus of this review is on theory and research of lifespan (lifespan developmental) psychology. The theoretical analysis integrates evolutionary and ontogenetic perspectives on cultural and human development across several levels of analysis. Specific predictions are advanced dealing with the general architecture of lifespan ontogeny, including its directionality and age-differential allocation of developmental resources into the three major goals of developmental adaptation: growth, maintenance, and regulation of loss. Consistent with this general lifespan architecture, a meta-theory of development is outlined that is based on the orchestrated and adaptive interplay between three processes of behavioral regulation: selection, optimization, and compensation. Finally, these propositions and predictions about the general nature of lifespan development are examined and supported by empirical evidence on the development of cognition and intelligence across the life span.

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Crossref · 10.1146/annurev.psych.50.1.471

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227 of 227 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Past research has demonstrated that each life stage exhibits its own unique trajectories, goals, and influences, and activities can therefore differ from being of no impact, to being adaptive or maladaptive depending on which developmental period one examines.

    “Past research has demonstrated that each life stage exhibits its own unique trajectories, goals, and influences19,45–47, and activities can therefore differ from being of no impact, to being adaptive or maladaptive depending on which developmental period one examines46,48.”

    From Windows of developmental sensitivity to social media (2022) · cites this paper as [46]

  • The third criterion proposing to focus on fluid measures is based on assumptions about the antecedents of fluid and crystallized measures that are generally no longer supported in the research literature.

    “The third criterion proposing to focus on fluid measures is based on assumptions regarding the distinction between the antecedents of fluid and crystallized measures that are generally no longer supported in the research literature (cf. Baltes, Staudinger, & Lindenberger, 1999; Li et al., 2004).”

    From An Historical Framework for Cohort Differences in Intelligence (2005) · cites this paper as Baltes, Staudinger, & Lindenberger, 1999

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Authors
Baltes, P. B., Staudinger, U. M., & Lindenberger, U.
Affiliations
Max Planck Society (DE)
ORCID
Venue
Annual Review of Psychology
Publisher
Annual Reviews
Published
1999-02
Volume
50
Issue
1
Pages
471-507
ISSN
  • 0066-4308 (ISSN-L)
  • 1545-2085
DOI
10.1146/annurev.psych.50.1.471
OpenAlex
W2142943574
Semantic Scholar
a6c5c9ad8a81214f24689aae38cc91375e07b3b3
Cited by
1,281
References
227
Citations by year
2026: 29 · 2025: 80 · 2024: 56 · 2023: 70 · 2022: 55 · 2021: 56 · 2020: 60 · 2019: 54 · 2018: 48 · 2017: 56 · 2016: 55 · 2015: 70 · 2014: 49 · 2013: 49 · 2012: 64
FWCI
7.01
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
other-oa
Locations
  • Annual Review of Psychology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (submittedVersion)
  • Max Planck Digital Library (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • MPG.PuRe (Max Planck Society) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Abilities and Testing
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Psychology of Development and Education
Keywords
lifespan development, intellectual functioning, intelligence development, evolutionary psychology, ontogeny, developmental adaptation, behavioral regulation, cultural development

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