##
Intake Assessment:
Selection, Optimization, and Compensation (SOC)

- General Information
- Items used in BASE (T2)
- Raw Constructs Created in BASE (T2)
- Items used in BASE (T3 & T4)
- Raw Constructs Created in BASE (T3 & T4)

###
Selection, Optimization, and Compensation (SOC; Intake Assessment):
General Information

When? | Time 1 | Time 2 | Time 3 | Time 4 | Time 5 | Time 6 | Time 7
Where? | - | Intake Assessment (EE) | Intake Assessment (EE) | Intensive Protocol (IP) | Intensive Protocol (IP) | Intensive Protocol (IP) | -
Questionnaire | - | EE: Intake Assessment pp. 35-37 | EE: Intake Assessment pp. 27-30 | EE: Intake Assessment pp. 27-31 IP: SOC- Questionnaire pp. 1-16 | IP: SOC-Questionnair pp. 1-8 | IP: SOC-Questionnair pp. 1-9 | -
SIR Data bank | - | EE: ZPK rec/table 110 (Z2EE) | EE: ZPK rec/table 210 (Z3EE) | IP: PSYCHO rec/table 301 (P4DATA) rec/table 302 (P4CONST) | IP: PSYCHO rec/table 401 (P5DATA) rec/table 402 (P5CONST) | IP: PSYCHO rec/table 501 (P6DATA) rec/table 502 (P6CONST) | -

The SOC-model (P. B. Baltes & M. M. Baltes, 1990; P. B. Baltes, M. M. Baltes, Freund, & Lang, 1999; Freund & Baltes, 1998; Freund, Li, & Baltes, 1999; Marsiske, Lang, Baltes, & Baltes, 1995) stresses the importance of three processes for successful aging: selection, optimization, and compensation. The limitation of resources (e.g., time, energy) inherent to human existence, and life-span changes in developmental goals, adaptive contexts, and resources, effective development involves a continuous and adaptive orchestration of selection, optimization, and compensation. Selection of domains of functioning on which to focus one's resources is necessary for directing development (specification), and because not all opportunities can be pursued. We distinguish two kinds of selection: elective and loss-based selection. Whereas elective selection refers to processes that are involved in delineating developmental pathways by the development of goals (specification of goals, building a goal-hierarchy, and contextualization of goals) and the commitment to goals. Loss-based selection, on the other hand, occurs in response to decline or loss of previous available means or resources. Loss-based selection encompasses such processes as the reconstruction of one's goal-hierarchy or the search for new goals. Optimization denotes the acquisition, allocation, and refinement of internal or external resources as means of achieving a goal or higher levels of functioning in a selected domain. Typical instances for optimization are the investment of time, effort, and energy, acquiring new skills or resources, and the practice of skills. Compensation refers to means that are aimed at counteracting loss or decline in goal-relevant means by acquiring or activating unused or new skills or resources. In old age, the limitation of resources, and loss or decline in goal-related means are likely to be amplified. Thus, selection, optimization, and compensation might be of particular importance for successful aging.

For information about SOC-data assessed at T4, T5, and T6 during IP see SOC within in the psychological section.

Literature: P. B. Baltes & M. M. Baltes, 1990; P. B. Baltes, M. M. Baltes, Freund, & Lang, 1995; Freund & Baltes, 2002; Marsiske, Lang, Baltes, & Baltes, 1995.

- General Information
- Items used in BASE (T2)
- Raw Constructs Created in BASE (T2)
- Items used in BASE (T3 & T4)
- Raw Constructs Created in BASE (T3 & T4)

###
Selection, Optimization, and Compensation (SOC; Intake Assessment):
Items used in BASE (T2)

Note:
Participants were asked to indicate on 7 items (No. 111-117), which SOC-related strategy they follow mostly.
The 7 items are listed in the table below.

| English translation | BASE items / variables | Variable names Time 2
| In the following questions there are different situations to answer. To each situation I will give you three possible approaches. Please tell me for each question which statement you agree with most. | Bei den folgenden Fragen gibt es wieder verschiedene Antwortmöglichkeiten. Ich werde Ihnen bei jeder Frage drei Aussagen zeigen, mit denen man die Fragen beantworten kann. Sagen Sie mir bitte bei jeder Frage, welcher Aussage Sie am meisten zustimmen. |
1. | What do you usually do when it looks like you won't be able to achieve (realize) your goals? | Was tun Sie meistens, wenn es so aussieht, daß Ihre Erwartungen und Zielvorstellungen nicht erreicht (realisiert) werden können? | z2e111n
S | I change my goals and adapt them to the facts as they are | Ich verändere die eigenen Ziele, um sie an die Gegebenheiten anzupassen |
O | I keep trying to achieve my goals after all | Ich strenge mich weiter an, die angestrebten Ziele doch zu erreichen
C | I look for other ways and means to achieve my goals | Ich suche nach anderen Wegen und Mitteln, um die Ziele zu erreichen
2. | If you come up against obstacles when trying to achieve an goal, do you tend to ... | Wenn Sie Hindernisse bei der Verfolgung eines Zieles erleben, sind Sie dann geneigt... | z2e112n
S | look for another, achievable goal | sich ein anderes, erreichbares Ziel zu suchen |
O | concentrate harder on doing what is necessary to achieve your goal | sich stärker darauf zu konzentrieren, das zu tun, was zum Erreichen des Zieles notwendig ist
C | look at the situation in another way, and see the loss as a gain | den Verlust durch eine neue Sichtweise der Situation als Gewinn zu sehen
3. | What is the best way to age well or successfully, in your opinion? | Was ist ihrer Meinung nach der beste Weg zum guten oder erfolgreichen Altern? | z2e113n
S | Choose achievable (realistic) aims | Erreichbare (realistische) Ziele aussuchen |
O | Always aim for the best and the highest | Immer das Beste und Höchste anstreben
C | Compensate difficulties and losses | Für Schwierigkeiten und Verluste Kompensieren
4. | What do you have to do in order to age well or successfully? | Was müssen Sie tun, um gut und erfolgreich zu altern? | z2e114n
S | Be able to restrict yourself | Sich beschränken können |
O | Keep working on it | Hart daran arbeiten
C | Gather as many resources/reserves as possible, and use these as aids when necessary | Möglichst viele Ressourcen/ Reserven aufbauen, um sie als Hilfsmittel einsetzten zu können, wenn es darauf ankommt
5. | If you were to give yourself and others a piece of advice on aging successfully, what would you advise? | Wenn Sie sich und anderen einen Rat geben würden, wie man am besten erfolgreich alt wird, was würden Sie raten? | z2e115n
S | Use your strength and energy selectively (purposefully) | Die eigenen Kräfte und Energien selektiv (gezielt) einsetzen |
O | Always aim to improve | Immer besser werden wollen
C | Stick to your aims in times of difficulty, and try to achieve them in other ways | Bei Schwierigkeiten auf den eigenen Zielen beharren und diese über anderen Wege zu erreichen versuchen
6. | You are well on the way to achieving an important aim. An unforeseen or uncontrollable event, such as serious illness or the death of a partner, blocks your way. Which piece of knowledge would help you most? | Sie sind auf dem besten Weg, ein für Sie wichtiges Ziel zu erreichen. Ein unvorhergesehenes oder unkontrollierbares Ereignis, wie eine schwere Krankheit oder Tod eines Partners, stellt sich Ihnen in den Weg. Welches Wissen würde Ihnen am meisten weiterhelfen? | z2e116n
S | Knowing what you want to do, and are able to do | Zu wissen, was sie wollen, aber auch können |
O | Knowing how to reach goals in different ways | Zu wissen, wie Sie Ziele auf anderen Wegen erreichen können
C | Knowing that you will be successful if you concentrate much time and energy on just a few goals | Zu wissen, daß Erfolg zustande kommt, wenn sie viel Zeit und Energie auf wenige Ziele konzentrieren
7. | Which piece of advice would be of most use to young people when they grow old? | Welchen Rat würden jungen Menschen für ihr Altwerden am meisten nutzen? | z2e117n
S | Concentrate increasingly on just a few things | Sich im Alter zunehmend auf einige wenige Dinge konzentrieren |
O | Exercise your mind and body frequently | Den eigenen Geist und Körper oft trainieren und üben
C | Always keep an eye out for aids and other ways to achieve your aims after all | Immer nach Hilfsmitteln und Umwegen Ausschau halten, um die gesteckten Ziele doch zu erreichen
8. | In general, from the following three aims, which is the most important aim for you? | Ganz allgemein, von den folgenden drei Zielen, welches ist das wichtigste für Sie? | z2e118n
1 | Aims that give emotional satisfaction to me | Ziele, die mir emotionale Befriedigung geben |
2 | Aims that increase my independence or autonomy | Ziele, die meine Unabhängigkeit, Autonomie oder Selbständigkeit stärken
3 | Aims that increase my knowledge/comprehension | Ziele, die mein Wissen, meinen Horizont erweitern
9. | What is the most important thing you think you need to age well? | Wenn es darum geht, all das zu haben, was man zum guten Altwerden braucht, was ist das Wichtigste? | z2e119n
1 | Living a healthy lifestyle and remaining flexible | Gesund leben und flexibel bleiben |
2 | Ensuring financial and economic independence | Für finanzielle und ökonomische Sicherheit sorgen
3 | Having family and good friends around | Familie und gute Freunde haben
10. | What is the most important thing you need to have resources and aids available in old age? | Wenn es darum geht, im Alter über Ressourcen und Hilfsmittel verfügen zu können, was ist das Wichtigste? | z2e120n
1 | Knowing where to get the right information | Zu wissen, wo man die richtigen Informationen bekommen kann |
2 | To get support and aid from other persons | Unterstützung und Hilfe bei anderen Personen zu bekommen
3 | To rely on own strength and reserves | Sich auf eigene Stärken und Reserven verlassen zu können

- General Information
- Items used in BASE (T2)
- Raw Constructs Created in BASE (T2)
- Items used in BASE (T3 & T4)
- Raw Constructs Created in BASE (T3 & T4)

###
SOC:
Raw Constructs Created in BASE (T2)

Note:
If the item has been answered on the five-point scale, it has the suffix x1;
if it has been answered on the simplified dichotomous scale, the suffix is x2.

Constructs | Construct names Time 2
1. | k2zsocmi
Sum score (No. of missings)
Selection
1. | k2zsel
Sum score
2. | k2zselpr
% -score
3. | k2zhisel
Preferred choice
Optimization
1. | k2zopt
Sum score
2. | k2zoptpr
% -score
3. | k2zhiopt
Preferred choice
Compensation
1. | k2zcom
Sum score
2. | k2zcompr
% -score
3. | k2zhicom
Preferred choice

- General Information
- Items used in BASE (T2)
- Raw Constructs Created in BASE (T2)
- Items used in BASE (T3 & T4)
- Raw Constructs Created in BASE (T3 & T4)

###

SOC: General information (T3 & T4)

A twelve-item version of the SOC-questionnaire (P. B. Baltes et al., 1999) was used at Time 3 and Time 4 to assess the two aspects of selection (elective and loss-based), optimization, and compensation (this short version was the only one available at the time of the data collection). Each of the four component processes was represented by three items.
Each item on this questionnaire consisted of two statements, one reflecting the target process of life-management (elective selection, loss-based selection, optimization, compensation), and the other statement offering an alternative, non-SOC-related strategy. When responding to the questionnaire items, participants were asked to decide which of the statements, A or B (characterizing the life-management behavior of two fictive persons), described them better. The number of affirmative responses to the SOC behaviors represented the scores. Thus, for the overall SOC value, the scores range from 0 to 12, for each of the SOC components from 0 to 3.
Because the three items assessing loss-based selection were included in the study after data-collection had begun, only n = 149 responded to these items. Missing values were estimated via regression analyses on the basis of the other three SOC-processes (elective selection, compensation, optimization) and chronological age.

###

###
SOC:
EE-Items used in BASE (T3 & T4)

Note:
According to the design, EE variable names for Time 3 have the prefix z3
and names for Time 4 have the prefix z4.

###

| English translation | BASE items / variables | Variable names Time 3 | Variable names Time 4
We are interested to find out how you decide what is important for you in life. Further we are interested what you are doing to reach what you want. Imagine two persons who are talking about this. I would like you to tell me to which of these persons you are most similar, that is how you would behave most likely. a) To which person are you more similar at the moment? How similar are you to this person? b) What about when you were young (between 15 and 20 years old)? To which person were you more simliar? How similar? 1 = you behave exactly like this person 2 = you behave almost like this person 3 = you are rather similar to that person 4 = you are similar to this person but only a little | Wir haben großes Interesse daran zu erfahren, wie Sie entscheiden, was Ihnen im Leben wichtig ist. Und weiter interessiert uns, wie Sie vorgehen, um auch zu erreichen, was Sie wollen. Stellen Sie sich zwei Personen vor, die sich darüber unterhalten. Ich möchte nun gerne von Ihnen wissen, welcher dieser Personen Sie am ähnlichsten sind, d.h. wie Sie sich selbst am ehesten verhalten. a) Welcher Person sind Sie gegenwärtig ähnlicher? (b1) Und wie ähnlich sind Sie dieser Person? (b2) b) Wie war das, als Sie jung waren (zwischen 15 und 20 Jahren)? Welcher Person waren Sie ähnlicher? (b3) Und wie ähnlich waren Sie dieser Person? (b4) 1 = bedeutet, daß Sie sich ganz genau so wie diese Person verhalten 2 = bedeutet, daß Sie sich ziemlich so wie diese Person verhalten 3 = besagt, daß Sie der Person einigermaßen ähnlich sind 4 = bedeutet, daß Sie dieser Person zwar ähnlich sind, aber nur wenig |  |
| Target Item | Distractor Item | Target Item | Distractor Item
Selection
S1 | I concentrate all my energy on a few things. | I divide my energy among many things. | Ich konzentriere meine ganze Energie auf wenige Dinge. | Ich verteile meine Energie auf viele Dinge. | z3e101b1/ -b2 -b3 -b4 | + + + +
S2 | I always focus on the one most important goal at a given time. | I am always working on several goals at once. | Ich verfolge immer nur einen Plan nach dem anderen. | Ich verfolge immer viele Pläne auf einmal. | z3e104b1 -b2 -b3 -b4 | + + + +
S3 | When I think about what I want in life, I commit myself to one or two important goals. | Even when I really consider what I want in life, I wait and see what happens or instead of committing myself to just one or two particular goals. | Wenn ich mir überlege, was ich will, lege ich mich auf ein oder zwei wichtige Ziele fest. | Auch wenn ich mir überlege, was ich eigentlich will, lege ich mich nicht endgültig fest. | z3e107b1 -b2 -b3 -b4 | + + + +
Optimization
O1 | I keep working on what I have planned until I succeed. | When I do not succeed right away at what I want to do, I don't try any other possibilities for long. | Ich probiere so lange, bis mir gelingt, was ich mir vorstelle. | Wenn mir nicht gleich gelingt, was ich mir vorstelle, probiere ich nicht mehr lange andere Möglichkeiten durch. | z3e102b1 -b2 -b3 -b4 | + + + +
O2 | I make every effort to achieve a given goal. | I prefer to wait for a while and see if things will work out by themselves. | Ich setze alles daran, meine Pläne zu verwirklichen. | Ich warte lieber ab, ob sich meine Pläne nicht vielleicht von selbst verwirklichen. | z3e105b1 -b2 -b3 -b4 | + + + +
O3 | When something matters to me, I devote myself fully and completely to it. | Even when something matters to me I still have a hard time devoting myself fully and completely to it. | Wenn mir an etwas sehr gelegen ist, setze ich mich voll und ganz dafür ein. | Auch wenn mir an etwas sehr gelegen ist, lasse ich mich dennoch nicht voll und ganz darauf ein. | z3e108b1 -b2 -b3 -b4 | + + + +
Compensation
C1 | When things don't go as well as they used to, I keep trying other ways of doing it until I can achieve the same result I used to. | When things don't go as well as they used to, I accept it. | Wenn die Dinge nicht mehr so gut laufen wie bisher, suche ich nach anderen Wegen, um zum Ziel zu kommen. | Wenn die Dinge nicht mehr so gut laufen wie bisher, gebe ich mich auch damit zufrieden | z3e103b1 -b2 -b3 -b4 | + + + +
C2 | When something in my life isn't working as well as it used to, ask others for advice or help. | When something in my life isn't working as well as it used to, I decide what to do I about it myself, without involving other people. | Wenn etwas nicht mehr so gut klappt wie bisher, bitte ich andere um Rat oder Hilfe. | Wenn etwas nicht mehr so gut klappt wie bisher, verzichte ich lieber darauf, als andere um Rat oder Hilfe zu bitten. | z3e106b1 -b2 -b3 -b4 | + + + +
C3 | When it becomes harder for me to get the same results, I keep trying harder until I can do it as well as before. | When it becomes harder for me to get the same results as I used to, it is time to let same results as I used to, it is time to let go of that expectation. | Wenn mich etwas daran hindert, weiterzumachen wie bisher, dann gebe ich mir erst recht Mühe. | Wenn mich etwas daran hindert, weiterzumachen wie bisher, verzichte ich lieber darauf. | z3e109b1 -b2 -b3 -b4 | + + + +
C4 | If I don't succeed in doing something in the usual way, I look for other ways and means. | If I don't succeed in doing something in the usual way, I content myself with the way things are. | Wenn mir auf gewohnte Weise etwas nicht mehr gelingt, suche ich nach anderen Wegen und Mitteln. | Wenn mir auf gewohnte Weise etwas nicht mehr gelingt, begnüge ich mich mit den Dingen wie sie sind. | z3e111b1 -b2 -b3 -b4 | + + + +
Loss based selection
lbs1 | When things don't go as well as before, I choose one or two important goals. | When things don't go as well as before, I still try to keep all my goals. | Wenn die Dinge nicht mehr so gut laufen wie bisher, lege ich mich auf ein oder zwei wichtige Ziele fest | Wenn die Dinge nicht mehr so gut laufen wie bisher, versuche ich trotzdem all meine Ziele beizubehalten. | z3e110b1 -b2 -b3 -b4 | + + + +
lbs2 | When I can't do something important the way I did before, I look for a new goal. | When I can't do something important the way I did before, I distribute my time and energy among many other things. | Wenn ich etwas wichtiges nicht mehr tun kann wie bisher, suche ich nach einem neuen Ziel | Wenn ich etwas Wichtiges nicht mehr tun kann wie bisher, verteile ich meine Zeit und Energie auf viele andere Dinge. | z3e112b1 -b2 -b3 -b4 | + + + +
lbs3 | When I can't do something as well as I used to, I think about what exactly is important to me. | When I can't do something as well as I used to, I wait and see what comes. | Wenn mir etwas nicht mehr so gelingt wie früher, überlege ich ganz genau, was mir wichtig ist. | Wenn mir etwas nicht mehr so gelingt wie früher, lasse ich die Dinge erst einmal auf mich zukommen. | z3e113b1 -b2 -b3 -b4 | + + + +

- General Information
- Items used in BASE (T2)
- Raw Constructs Created in BASE (T2)
- Items used in BASE (T3 & T4)
- Raw Constructs Created in BASE (T3 & T4)

###
SOC:
Raw Constructs Created in BASE (T3)

Note:
According to the design, variable names for Time 3 have the prefix k3 and names for Time 4 have the prefix k4.
The suffix G or G4 indicates present, prefix V or V4 indicates past.

Constructs | Construct names Time 3 | Construct names Time 4
Overall
1. | k3zsocg k3zsocv | + +
Means of all SOC-Items, 5 p. scale
2. | k3zsocg4 k3zsocv4 | + +
Means of 3s-, 3o, 4c-items, 5 p.scale
3. | k3zsoclg k3zsoclv | + +
Means of all SOC+ lbs-items, 5 p.scale
4. | k3zsolg4 k3zsolv4 | + +
Means of 3s-, 3o-, 4c-3lbs- items, 5 p.scale
Selection
1. | k3zsel1g/ 2g/ 3G k3zsel1V/ 2V/ 3V | +/+/+ +/+/+
5-p scale
2. | k3zwse1g/ 2g /3g k3zwse1v/ 2v/ 3v | +/+/+ +/+/+
2-P scale (0 = no, distractor chosen; 1 = yes, target chosen)
3. | k3zSselg k3zSselv | + +
Sum score (selection choices present:k*zWSE1g/ 2g/ 3G/G4 past: k*zWSE1V/ 2V/ 3V/ 4V)
4. | k3zselg k3zselv | + +
Mean of selection items, 5p. scale
Optimization
1. | k3zopt1g/ 2g/ 3G k3zopt1v/ 2v/ 3v | +/+/+ +/+/+
5-p scale
2. | k3zwop1g/ 2g /3G k3zwop1v/ 2v/ 3v | +/+/+ +/+/+
2-P scale (0 = no, distractor chosen; 1 = yes, target chosen)
3. | k3zsoptg k3zsoptv | + +
Sum score (optimization choices present:k*zWOP1g/ 2g/ 3G/G4 past: k*zWOP1V/ 2V/ 3V/ 4V)
4. | k3zoptg k3zoptv | + +
Mean of optimization items, 5p. scale
Compensation
1. | k3zcom1g/ 2g/ 3G/ G4 k3zcom1V/ 2V/ 3V/ V4 | +/+/+ +/+/+
5-P scale
2. | k3zwco1g/ 2g/ 3G/G4 k3zwco1V/ 2V/ 3V/ 4V | +/+/+ +/+/+
2-P scale (0 = no, distractor chosen; 1 = yes, target chosen)
3. | k3zScomg k3zScomv | + +
Sum score (compensation choices present:k*zWCO1g/ 2g/ 3G/G4 past: k*zWCO1V/ 2V/ 3V/ 4V)
4. | k3zcomg k3zcomv | + +
Mean of compensation items (1-3), 5p. scale
5. | k3zcomg4 k3zcomv4 | + +
Mean of all compensation items (1-4) , 5p. scale
Loss-based selection
1. | k3zlbs1g/ 2g/ 3G k3zlbs1V/ 2V/ 3V | +/+/+ +/+/+
5-P scale
2. | k3zwlb1g/ 2g /3G k3zwlb1V/ 2V/ 3V | +/+/+ +/+/+
2-P scale
3. | k3zslbsg k3zslbsv | + +
Sum score (loss based selection choices present: k*zwlb1g/ 2g /3G; past: k*zwlb1V/ 2V/ 3V)
4. | k3zlbsg k3zlbsv | + +
Mean of Loss-based selection items, 5p. scale

- General Information
- Items used in BASE (T2)
- Raw Constructs Created in BASE (T2)
- Items used in BASE (T3 & T4)
- Raw Constructs Created in BASE (T3 & T4)

- back to Intake Assessment
- back to Central Project Coordination
- back to Contents