Changes in cognition, affect, and brain function combine to promote a shift in the nature of mentation in older adulthood, favoring exploitation of prior knowledge over exploratory search as the starting point for thought and action. Age-related exploitation biases result from the accumulation of prior knowledge, reduced cognitive control, and a shift toward affective goals. These are accompanied by changes in cortical networks, as well as attention and reward circuits. By incorporating these factors into a unified account, the exploration-to-exploitation shift offers an integrative model of cognitive, affective, and brain aging. Here, we review evidence for this model, identify determinants and consequences, and survey the challenges and opportunities posed by an exploitation-biased mental mode in later life.

认知、情感和大脑功能的变化共同促进了老年期心理状态的转变，有利于利用先验知识而不是探索性搜索作为思想和行动的起点。与年龄相关的剥削偏见源于先验知识的积累、认知控制的减少以及向情感目标的转变。这些伴随着皮层网络的变化，以及注意力和奖励回路。通过将这些因素整合到一个统一的账户中，从探索到开发的转变提供了一个认知、情感和大脑老化的综合模型。在这里，我们回顾了该模型的证据，确定了决定因素和后果，并调查了剥削偏见的心理模式在晚年生活中带来的挑战和机遇。