Question

Explain a social convoy and socioemotional selectivity. Give an example of both and explain why they are important.

Answer 1

In the social convoy model; individuals go through life embedded in a personal network of the social relations, from whom they give and receive social support. In this model; in terms of the closeness of their relationship with an individual, circles are used to separate people. For example, this model is used in the healthcare industry to; evaluate the importance of healthcare professionals to a patient’s social network.

According to the socioemotional selectivity theory; older adults are more selective about their social networks. The reason being the fact that they place a high value on emotional satisfaction. Thus aged people often spend more time with people whom they are familiar with and with whom they have had rewarding relationships. Thus this theory challenges that; adults are in emotional-social isolation and despair because they choose to only spend time with close family and friends.