Professor of Psychology and Research Professor, Institute for Social Research
Ph.D. Macquarie University
Area: Developmental

Contact Information

Email: smitjacq@umich.edu
Psychology Office: 2042 East Hall
Psychology Phone: 734-647-6788

Alternate Office: 4010 ISR
Alternate Phone: 734-647-0591

Research and Teaching Interests

My research deals with the potential and limits of development and change during adulthood and old age. I use experimental and survey methodologies to investigate age-cohort differences and age-related change in cognitive functioning, self-regulation, and well-being. My current research focuses on psychological vitality in the Third and Fourth Age (65 to 100+), psychological predictors of longevity, individual differences in intra-person psychological dynamics, and the application of intelligence, cognition, and life knowledge (wisdom) during adulthood.

 

Representative Publications

• Baltes, P. B., & Smith, J. (in press). The fascination of wisdom: Its nature, ontogeny, and function. Perspectives on Psychological Science.
• Gerstorf, D., Lövdén, M., Röcke, C., Smith, J., & Lindenberger, U. (2007). Well-being affects changes in cognition in advanced old age: Longitudinal evidence for a dynamic link. Developmental Psychology, 43, 705-718.
• Gerstorf, D., Herlitz, A., & Smith, J. (2006). Stability of Cognitive Sex Differences in Advanced Old Age: The Role of Education and Selectivity, Journals of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 61B, P245-P249.
• Baltes, P. B., & Smith, J. (2004). Lifespan psychology: From developmental contextualism to developmental biocultural co-constructivism. Research on Human Development, 1, 123-144.
• Baltes, P. B., & Smith, J. (2003). New frontiers in the future of aging: From successful aging of the young old to the dilemmas of the Fourth Age. Gerontology: Behavioural Science Section/Review, 49, 123-135.

Related Links