Adolescents and older adults lack attention in social situations

New research has found that adolescents and older adults pay less attention to social indications than young adults.

Age and Social Attention: Enhancing Our Understanding of Daily Interactions and Well-Being

Research published in *Nature Human Behaviour* reveals age-related changes in social attention, offering insights into understanding social interactions across life.

Interpreting the facial expression, tone of voice and gestures of others is an important element of social interaction that allows us to make a quick understanding about others’ mental states, such as their intentions, emotions, desires and beliefs. Good social interaction develops perspective-taking and empathy along with other necessary social skills, and plays an important role in improving our wellbeing.

University of Kent’s School of Psychology conducted the first research studying how social attention develops during adolescence and differs from adulthood.

Researchers investigated the attention patterns of adolescents, young adults, and older adults across two real-world social interaction scenarios: face-to-face conversations and navigating environments. Using mobile tracking glasses, the study monitored participants’ attention to both social and non-social information during these interactions.

Navigating Social Interactions: Challenges for Adolescents and Older Adults

Adolescents, aged 10 to 19, are in a crucial phase of developing peer relationships and navigating evolving social experiences. In this era of swift social change, focusing on social cues is crucial for navigating evolving dynamics and choices. Adolescents are still learning how to interpret and respond to social signals, which can affect their interactions and relationships.

Older adults often face reduced social engagement, leading to isolation, loneliness, and declining health. This decline in social participation can greatly impact their quality of life and mental well-being. The study shows that adolescents and older adults struggle with social interactions due to distinct developmental and age-related factors.

The research reveals how social cue attention varies across ages and underscores the need for engagement strategies. Understanding these differences helps develop strategies to enhance social interactions and improve well-being across various life stages.