Dr. Laura Carstensen is a well-known researcher and scholar in the field of aging and longevity. She is the Founding Director of the Stanford Center on Longevity and is the Fairleigh S. Dickinson Jr. Professor in Public Policy at Stanford University.
Carstensen’s work in the field of aging and longevity has focused on the psychological and social aspects of aging, and she has made significant contributions to our understanding of how people’s goals and priorities change as they age. She is known for her work on the concept of “socioemotional selectivity theory,” which proposes that as people age, they become more selective about the social interactions they engage in and prioritize relationships that are emotionally meaningful.
Carstensen has also conducted research on the role of emotions in health and well-being and has explored the potential benefits of interventions such as mindfulness meditation for improving mental health and well-being in older adults.
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Dr. Laura Carstensen, PhD’s Background and Education
Dr. Laura Carstensen is the Founding Director of the Stanford Center on Longevity and the Fairleigh S. Dickinson Jr. Professor in Public Policy at Stanford University. She received her Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Arizona and has conducted research on aging and longevity for over three decades.
Prior to her work at Stanford, Carstensen held academic positions at the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Miami. She is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and the Gerontological Society of America and has received numerous awards and honors for her work in the field of aging and longevity.
Dr. Laura Carstensen, PhD’s Research Contributions
One of Carstensen’s key contributions to the field is the concept of “socioemotional selectivity theory,” which proposes that as people age, they become more selective about the social interactions they engage in and prioritize relationships that are emotionally meaningful. This theory has been widely influential in the field of aging and has been supported by a number of empirical studies.
Carstensen has also conducted research on the role of emotions in health and well-being and has explored the potential benefits of interventions such as mindfulness meditation for improving mental health and well-being in older adults. In addition to her research on aging, Carstensen has also conducted research on topics such as emotion regulation, decision-making, and the effects of stress on health.
Laura’s Awards and Honors
Dr. Laura Carstensen is a well-respected researcher in the field of aging and longevity, and she has received numerous awards and honors for her work. Some of her notable awards and honors include:
- Fellow of the American Psychological Association (APA)
- Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America
- MacArthur “Genius” Award
- APA Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award
- GSA/Elsevier Foundation Award for Innovative Research on Aging
- APA Award for Distinguished Scientific Applications of Psychology
- GSA/Springer Publishing Company Award for Outstanding Contributions to Gerontology in the Behavioral and Social Sciences
In addition to these awards, Carstensen has also been recognized for her contributions to the field through her appointment to editorial boards and committees, and through her involvement in professional organizations and societies.
Laura Carstensen, PhD’s Popular science Writing and Public Outreach
Carstensen has written several books on the topic of aging, including “A Long Bright Future: Happiness, Health, and Financial Security in an Age of Increased Longevity” and “Aging Well: Surprising Guideposts to a Happier Life from the Landmark Harvard Study of Adult Development.” In these books, she discusses the latest research on aging and provides practical advice and strategies for promoting health and well-being as people age.
In addition to her writing, Carstensen has also given numerous lectures and presentations on her work in the field of aging and longevity and has participated in a number of public outreach initiatives aimed at increasing awareness and understanding of the topic. These efforts have included the development of educational materials and resources for the general public, as well as partnerships with science museums and other organizations, to promote the understanding of aging and longevity research.
Future of Laura Carstensen, PhD’s Work
In addition to her research on aging, it is also possible that Carstensen will continue to explore the role of emotions in health and well-being, and will investigate the potential benefits of interventions such as mindfulness meditation for improving mental health and well-being in older adults. It is also likely that she will continue to engage in public outreach and education efforts aimed at increasing awareness and understanding of aging and longevity research.
Laura L Carstensen Ted Talk
Dr. Laura Carstensen has given a TED talk on the topic of aging and longevity. In her talk, titled “Older People Are Happier,” Carstensen discusses her research on the psychological and social aspects of aging and explains how people’s goals and priorities change as they age. She also discusses the potential benefits of this shift in priorities, and how it can lead to greater happiness and well-being in later life.
You can find a link to Dr. Carstensen’s TED talk on here: https://www.ted.com/talks/laura_carstensen_older_people_are_happier
Laura L. Carstensen‘s Books
Dr. Laura Carstensen is the author of several books on the topic of aging and longevity, including:
- “A Long Bright Future: Happiness, Health, and Financial Security in an Age of Increased Longevity” – This book discusses the latest research on aging and provides practical advice and strategies for promoting health and well-being as people age.
- “Aging Well: Surprising Guideposts to a Happier Life from the Landmark Harvard Study of Adult Development” – This book discusses the findings of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, one of the longest-running studies of human development, and provides insights into what factors contribute to healthy aging.
- “The New Old: How the Boomers Are Changing Everything…Again” – In this book, Carstensen discusses the impact of the baby boomers on society and how they are redefining what it means to be old.
- “Time and Decision: Economic and Psychological Perspectives on Intertemporal Choice” (edited with George Loewenstein and Daniel Read) – This book is a collection of essays on the topic of intertemporal choice, or the decision-making process that involves trade-offs between present and future outcomes.
Conclusion
Dr. Laura Carstensen is a well-known researcher in the field of aging and longevity, and she has made significant contributions to our understanding of how people’s goals and priorities change as they age. One of her key contributions to the field is the concept of “socioemotional selectivity theory,” which proposes that as people age, they become more selective about the social interactions they engage in and prioritize relationships that are emotionally meaningful. This theory has been widely influential in the field of aging and has been supported by a number of empirical studies.
In addition to her research on aging, Carstensen has also conducted research on the role of emotions in health and well-being, and has explored the potential benefits of interventions such as mindfulness meditation for improving mental health and well-being in older adults. She has also made significant contributions to popular science writing and public outreach in the field of aging and longevity through her books, lectures, and educational materials.