Information

• For general information on the meta-model of selection, optimization, and compensation see pp. 164-165 of the Annual Research Report 2003-2004 of the Center for Lifespan Psychology at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development. To download the PDF file, click here.

• For general scientific overviews, see below.

• Researchers in various fields and contexts use the SOC-model as theoretical framework for their work. For a selection of studies on SOC published by researchers outside of the Max Planck Institute, click here.

Overview Articles

Baltes, M. M., & Carstensen, L. L. (1996). The process of successful ageing. Ageing and Society, 16, 397–422. Abstract

Baltes, M. M., & Carstensen, L. L. (1999). Social-psychological theories and their applications to aging: From individual to collective. In V. L. Bengtson, J.-E. Ruth, & K. W. Schaie (Eds.), Handbook of theories of aging (pp. 209–226). New York: Springer.

Baltes, P. B. (1997). On the incomplete architecture of human ontogeny: Selection, optimization, and compensation as foundation of developmental theory. American Psychologist, 52, 366–380.

Baltes, P. B. (2005). A psychological model of successful aging. Keynote Lecture, 2005 World Congress of Gerontology, Brazil (click here to download PDF file)

Baltes, P. B., & Baltes, M. M. (1989). Optimierung durch Selektion und Kompensation: Ein psychologisches Modell erfolgreichen Alterns. Zeitschrift für Pädagogik, 35, 85–105.

Baltes, P. B., & Baltes, M. M. (1990). Psychological perspectives on successful aging: The model of selective optimization with compensation. In P. B. Baltes & M. M. Baltes (Eds.), Successful aging: Perspectives from the behavioral sciences (pp. 1–34). New York: Cambridge University Press. Abstract

Baltes, P. B., & Freund, A. M. (2003a). Human strengths as the orchestration of wisdom and selective optimization with compensation. In L. G. Aspinwall & U. M. Staudinger (Eds.), A psychology of human strengths: Perspectives on an emerging field (pp. 23–35). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Baltes, P. B., & Freund, A. M. (2003b). The intermarriage of wisdom and selective optimization with compensation (SOC): Two meta-heuristics guiding the conduct of life. In C. L. M. Keyes & J. Haidt (Eds.), Flourishing: Positive psychology and the life well-lived (pp. 249–273). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Freund, A. M. (2007). Selektion, Optimierung und Kompensation im Kontext persönlicher Ziele. In J. Brandtstädter & U. Lindenberger (Eds.), Entwicklungspsychologie der Lebensspanne: Ein Lehrbuch (pp. 367–388). Stuttgart: Kohlhammer.

Freund, A. M. (2008). Successful aging as management of resources: The role of selection, optimization, and compensation. Research in Human Development, 5, 94–106. Abstract

Freund, A. M., & Baltes, P. B. (2000). The orchestration of selection, optimization and compensation: An action-theoretical conceptualization of a theory of developmental regulation. In W. J. Perrig & A. Grob (Eds.), Control of human behavior, mental processes, and consciousness: Essays in honor of the 60th birthday of August Flammer (pp. 35–58). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

Freund, A. M., & Baltes, P. B. (2007). Toward a theory of successful aging: Selection, optimization, and compensation. In R. Fernandez-Ballesteros (Ed.), Geropsychology: European perspectives for an aging world (pp. 239–254). Cambridge, MA: Hogrefe & Huber.

Freund, A. M., Li, K. Z. H., & Baltes, P. B. (1999). Successful development and aging: The role of selection, optimization, and compensation. In J. Brandtstädter & R. M. Lerner (Eds.), Action and self-development: Theory and research through the life span (pp. 401–434). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Freund, A. M., & Riediger, M. (2001). What I have and what I do: The role of resource loss and gain throughout life [Commentary]. Applied Psychology: An International Review, 50, 370–380.

Freund, A. M., & Riediger, M. (2003). Successful aging. In R. M. Lerner, M. A. Easterbrooks & J. Mistry (Eds.), Handbook of psychology: Vol. 6. Developmental Psychology (pp. 601–628). New York: Wiley.

Krampe, R. T., & Baltes, P. B. (2003). Intelligence as adaptive resource development and resource allocation: A new look through the lenses of SOC and expertise. In R. J. Sternberg & E. L. Grigorenko (Eds.), The psychology of abilities, competencies, and expertise (pp. 31–69). New York: Cambridge University Press.

Lerner, R. M., Freund, A. M., De Stefanis, I., & Habermas, T. (2001). Understanding developmental regulation in adolescence: The use of the Selection, Optimization, and Compensation model. Human Development, 44, 29–50. Abstract

Li, S.-C., & Freund, A. M. (2005). Advances in lifespan psychology: A focus on biocultural and personal influences. Research in Human Development, 2, 1–23. Abstract

Marsiske, M., Lang, F. B., Baltes, P. B., & Baltes, M. M. (1995). Selective optimization with compensation: Life-span perspectives on successful human development. In R. A. Dixon & L. Baeckman (Eds.), Compensating for psychological deficits and declines: Managing losses and promoting gains (pp. 35–79). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.

Riediger, M., Li, S.-C., & Lindenberger, U. (2006). Selection, optimization, and compensation as developmental mechanisms of adaptive resource allocation: Review and preview. In J. E. Birren & K. W. Schaie (Eds.), Handbook of the psychology of aging (6th ed., pp. 289–313). Amsterdam: Elsevier.

Overview Articles / Specific Research / Studies Published Outside the MPI

Specific Research

Baltes, P. B., Baltes, M. M., Freund, A. M., & Lang, F. R. (1999). The measurement of selection, optimization, and compensation (SOC) by self-report: Technical report 1999. Berlin: Max Planck Institute for Human Development. Full text

Ebner, N. C., Freund, A. M., & Baltes, P. B. (2006). Developmental changes in personal goal orientation from young to late adulthood: From striving for gains to maintenance and prevention of losses. Psychology and Aging, 21, 664–678. Abstract

Freund, A. M. (2006). Age-differential motivational consequences of optimization versus compensation focus in younger and older adults. Psychology and Aging, 21, 240–252. Abstract

Freund, A. M., & Baltes, P. B. (1998). Selection, optimization, and compensation as strategies of life management: Correlations with subjective indicators of successful aging. Psychology and Aging, 13, 531–543. Abstract

Freund, A. M., & Baltes, P. B. (2002a). The adaptiveness of selection, optimization, and compensation as strategies of life management: Evidence from a preference study on proverbs. Journals of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 57B, P426–P434. Abstract

Freund, A. M., & Baltes, P. B. (2002b). Life-management strategies of selection, optimization, and compensation: Measurement by self-report and construct validity. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 82, 642–662. Abstract

Freund, A. M., & Ebner, N. C. (2005). The aging self: Shifting from promoting gains to balancing losses. In W. Greve, K. Rothermund, & D. Wentura (Eds.), The adaptive self: Personal continuity and intentional self-development (pp. 185–202). New York: Hogrefe.

Freund, A. M., & Riediger, M. (2006). Goals as building blocks of personality and development in adulthood. In D. K. Mroczek & T. D. Little (Eds.), Handbook of personality development (pp. 368–372). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.

Jopp, D. (2003). Erfolgreiches Altern: Zum funktionalen Zusammenspiel von personalen Ressourcen und adaptiven Strategien des Lebensmanagements. Doctoral thesis, Free University of Berlin. Available online: http://www.diss.fu-berlin.de/2003/50/

Jopp, D., & Smith, J. (2006). Resources and life-management strategies as determinants of successful aging: On the protective effect of selection, optimization, and compensation. Psychology and Aging, 21, 253–265. Abstract

Krampe, R. T., Rapp, M., Bondar, A., & Baltes, P. B. (2003). Selektion, Optimierung und Kompensation in Doppelaufgaben. Nervenarzt, 3, 204–210. Volltext

Li, K. Z. H., Lindenberger, U., Freund, A. M., & Baltes, P. B. (2001). Walking while memorizing: Age-related differences in compensatory behavior. Psychological Science, 12, 230–237. Abstract

Rapp, M. A., Krampe, R. T., & Baltes, P.B. (2006). Adaptive task prioritization in aging: Selective resource allocation to postural control is preserved in Alzheimer disease. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 14, 52–61. Abstract

Riediger, M. (2006). Interference and facilitation among personal goals: Age-group differences and associations with well-being and behavior. In B. R. Little, K. Salmela-Aro, J.-E. Nurmi & S. D. Philipps (Eds.), Personal project pursuit: Goals, action, and human flourishing (pp. 119–143). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.

Riediger, M., & Ebner, N. C. (2007). A broader perspective on three lifespan theories: Comment on Boerner and Jopp [Commentary]. Human Development, 50, 196–200.

Riediger, M., & Freund, A. M. (2004). Interference and facilitation among personal goals: Differential associations with subjective well-being and persistent goal pursuit. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 30, 1511–1523. Abstract

Riediger, M., & Freund, A.M. (2006). Focusing and restricting: Two aspects of motivational selectivity in adulthood. Psychology and Aging, 21, 173–185. Abstract

Riediger, M., Freund, A. M., & Baltes, P. B. (2005). Managing life through personal goals: Intergoal facilitation and intensity of goal pursuit in younger and older adulthood. Journals of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 60B, P84–P91. Abstract

Schäfer, Sabine (2005). Concurrent cognitive and sensorimotor performance: A comparison of children and young adults. Unpublished doctoral thesis, Free University of Berlin. Available online: http://www.diss.fu-berlin.de/2005/178/

Staudinger, U. M. (2000). Viele Gründe sprechen dagegen, und trotzdem geht es vielen Menschen gut: Das Paradox des subjektiven Wohlbefindens. Psychologische Rundschau, 51, 185–197. Zusammenfassung

Wiese, B. S., & Freund, A. M. (2001). Zum Einfluss persönlicher Prioritätensetzungen auf Maße der Stimuluspräferenz. Zeitschrift für Experimentelle Psychologie, 48, 57–73.

Wiese, B. S., & Freund, A. M. (2005). Goal progress makes one happy, or does it? Longitudinal findings from the work domain. Journal of Occupational & Organizational Psychology, 78, 287–304. Abstract

Wiese, B. S., Freund, A. M., & Baltes, P. B. (2000). Selection, optimization, and compensation: An action-related approach to work and partnership. Journal of Vocational Behaviour, 57, 273–300. Abstract

Wiese, B. S., Freund, A. M., & Baltes, P. B. (2002). Subjective career success and emotional well-being: Longitudinal predictive power of selection, optimization, and compensation. Journal of Vocational Behaviour, 60, 321–335. Abstract

Overview Articles / Specific Research / Studies Published Outside the MPI

Former Collaborators

Former colleagues in the SOC-Project at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, listed in alphabetical order:

• Margret M. Baltes (deceased, 1999)
• Natalie C. Ebner, University of Florida
• Alexandra M. Freund, University of Zurich
• Ralf Krampe, University of Leuven
• Frieder Lang, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg
• Karen Z. H. Li, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
• Michael Marsiske, University of Florida, Gainesville
• Michael Rapp, Charité - Universitätmedizin Berlin
• Bettina S. Wiese, RWTH Aachen University

 


Contact:
Dr. Michaela Riediger
Max Planck Institute for Human Development
Lentzeallee 94
D-14195 Berlin
Germany
Phone: +49-30-82406-411
Fax: +49-30-824-9939
e-mail: riediger@mpib-berlin.mpg.de

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