Which theory gained support by the finding that as individuals grow older they had fewer peripheral social contacts but retained close relationships with people who provided them with emotional support?

Socioemotional selectivity theory

Explanation:

Socioemotional selectivity theory which was developed by Laura L. Carstensen, is considered as a life-span theory(motivation). The theory tends to maintain that as the time passes, as an individual typically grows with time, people tend to become selective, also investing more resources in goals that tend to be emotionally meaningful. In accordance with this theory, the motivational shifts tends to influence the cognitive processing.

explanation:

kill anyone that got in the way

answer; social penetration theory;