What Is Generativity?
The Summary
Generativity, “concern for and commitment to promoting the growth and wellbeing of future generations,” (McAdams & Guo, 2015 p.475) first came to light when Erik Erikson noted it as a central part of middle adulthood psychosocial development and a contributing factor of positive mental health later in life. McAdams expands this theory noting that generative adults tend to narrate their lives following a redemptive sequence such that negative events or experiences of adversity lead to positive outcomes. In addition, five important life story elements were identified as signs of high generativity: early advantage, sensitivity to suffering, moral steadfastness, redemption sequences and prosocial goals (McAdams & Guo, 2015 p.476). In
Generativity, “concern for and commitment to promoting the growth and wellbeing of future generations,” (McAdams & Guo, 2015 p.475) first came to light when Erik Erikson noted it as a central part of middle adulthood psychosocial development and a contributing factor of positive mental health later in life. McAdams expands this theory noting that generative adults tend to narrate their lives following a redemptive sequence such that negative events or experiences of adversity lead to positive outcomes. In addition, five important life story elements were identified as signs of high generativity: early advantage, sensitivity to suffering, moral steadfastness, redemption sequences and prosocial goals (McAdams & Guo, 2015 p.476). In