Abstract
The present study examined, from the viewpoint of interpersonal relations, how one's attitude toward life develops with age. Participants were 1, 695 men and women, from 18 to 88 years old. Close-mindedness, defensiveness, reliance on others, and self-centeredness tended to diminish with age. Conversely, acceptance of others and a positive attitude toward one's true self strengthened with age. Acceptance of others tended to be more conspicuous in women than in men. People with greater close-mindedness and defensiveness had little self-worth, low self-acceptance, and low self-esteem, and had trouble finding a purpose or meaning in life. People capable of accepting others had a stronger intentionality to meaning and more self-imposed tasks, and were successful in finding a meaning and self-worth in life. Those with high ratings on true self showed independent attitudes. This was especially so for women past middle age. Socially active people had low ratings on the close-minded dimension, low reliance on others, low self-centeredness, high true-self ratings and high acceptance of others.
