ABSTRACT
In this chapter, we embed the unifying concept of this volume, psychological compensation, within the framework of life-span developmental psychology. The model of selective optimization with compensation, as proposed by M. Baltes and P. Baltes (e.g., M. Baltes, 1987; M. Baltes & Carstensen, 1994; P. Baltes, 1987, 1991, 1993, 1994; P. Baltes & M. Baltes, 1980, 1990a; P. Baltes, Dittmann-Kohli, & Dixon, 1984), captures and applies many of the central propositions contained in life-span developmental psychology. In our view, the status of this model in the literature, to date, has been largely conceptual. It has attempted to represent scientific knowledge about the nature of psychological development and aging, with a particular emphasis on the consideration of “successful” or adaptive life-span development (P. Baltes & M. Baltes, 1990b). The model has remained less developed, however, with regard to its empirical operationalization and its hypothesis-guided evaluation. One emphasis of the current chapter, then, is to consider the empirical basis of the model in more detail, and to outline future directions for research.
