The subjective sense of time plays a crucial role in human motivation and development. As people age, their perception of time shifts, influencing their priorities and goals. Socioemotional selectivity theory (SST) suggests that as time horizons shrink, individuals prioritize emotional well-being over other goals. This theory posits that the perception of time affects motivation, cognition, and emotion, with older adults focusing more on emotional meaning and satisfaction rather than expanding their horizons. Chronological age is a poor predictor of cognitive abilities at older ages, as individual differences in experiences and opportunities play a larger role. The subjective sense of remaining time until death becomes more significant with age, influencing goal selection and pursuit. Experimental studies show that when time perspective is manipulated, age differences in preferences and desires can disappear. SST suggests that differences in preferences between young and old are not due to age itself but to differences in the perception of future time. For example, older people tend to choose emotionally close social partners, but this preference can be altered by changing their perception of time. Research also indicates that older adults prefer emotionally positive information over negative information, a phenomenon known as the "positivity effect." Studies using brain imaging show that older adults process positive information more deeply than negative information, indicating a shift in how they encode and recall information. These findings support the idea that motivational shifts, driven by the perception of time, influence cognitive processes and behavior. Understanding these shifts in motivation can help in framing information for older adults in a way that is more memorable and meaningful. However, a focus on emotionally satisfying stimuli may also have drawbacks, such as increased susceptibility to scams. Overall, considering time horizons provides insights into the differences between young and old, showing that behavioral differences are often driven by the same underlying mechanisms.The subjective sense of time plays a crucial role in human motivation and development. As people age, their perception of time shifts, influencing their priorities and goals. Socioemotional selectivity theory (SST) suggests that as time horizons shrink, individuals prioritize emotional well-being over other goals. This theory posits that the perception of time affects motivation, cognition, and emotion, with older adults focusing more on emotional meaning and satisfaction rather than expanding their horizons. Chronological age is a poor predictor of cognitive abilities at older ages, as individual differences in experiences and opportunities play a larger role. The subjective sense of remaining time until death becomes more significant with age, influencing goal selection and pursuit. Experimental studies show that when time perspective is manipulated, age differences in preferences and desires can disappear. SST suggests that differences in preferences between young and old are not due to age itself but to differences in the perception of future time. For example, older people tend to choose emotionally close social partners, but this preference can be altered by changing their perception of time. Research also indicates that older adults prefer emotionally positive information over negative information, a phenomenon known as the "positivity effect." Studies using brain imaging show that older adults process positive information more deeply than negative information, indicating a shift in how they encode and recall information. These findings support the idea that motivational shifts, driven by the perception of time, influence cognitive processes and behavior. Understanding these shifts in motivation can help in framing information for older adults in a way that is more memorable and meaningful. However, a focus on emotionally satisfying stimuli may also have drawbacks, such as increased susceptibility to scams. Overall, considering time horizons provides insights into the differences between young and old, showing that behavioral differences are often driven by the same underlying mechanisms.