Study shows older adults can benefit from social and emotional skills training
A study, originally published by Communications Psychology and recently explored by Neuroscience News, has concluded that older adults might benefit as much from socio-emotional interventions as younger adults.
Researchers from Germany and Switzerland provided a socio-emotional intervention as an 8-week programme to adults of various ages. They found the programme was equally effective for adults in their 70s as it was for those in their 20s, with potential aged-related learning decline between younger and older participants thought to be offset by the engagement the older age group showed with the materials they were provided with.
The positive personality changes seen in the older adult group remained detectable for up to a year after the training programme ended.
Professor Cornelia Wrzus, Heidelberg University, says:
“Our study results somewhat contradict the adage that ‘you can’t teach an old dog new tricks’. That is good news for aging populations. When people are sufficiently motivated, they maintain the ability to change and learn new things.”
Read commentary on this study from Neuroscience News here:
The original study is here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s44271-025-00350-2