Full metadata
Title
Manifestations of generativity during the last stage of life
Description
Generativity was first described by Erikson (1963) as an adult's concern for and commitment to promoting the welfare and development of future generations. Generativity is juxtaposed by stagnation in Erikson's stage of midlife (35-65 years old). The developmental hurdle faced at this point in the developmental cycle is whether a person will produce something of real value, both in the present and impacting future generations. Generative adults seek to give something back to society, generally behaving in a way to make the world a better place for others with no personal gain attached. The goal of the current study was to assess differences in levels of generativity at the final stage of adult life, and the potential functions that generativity can serve individuals. Results suggest that lowly generative individuals in older adult life tend to experience doubts about the impact they have had on the world and the lack of legacy they are leaving behind. Themes of highly generative participants included having felt they lived a purposeful and meaningful life, along with feeling fortunate and lucky in their lives. Also highly generative participants seemed to feel confident in the legacy they will leave behind after death. Results are discussed in light of the theories and findings of Erikson and McAdams.
Date Created
2013
Contributors
- Hauser, David (Author)
- Kinnier, Richard T. (Thesis advisor)
- Homer, Judith (Committee member)
- Arciniega, Guillermo M. (Committee member)
- Arizona State University (Publisher)
Topical Subject
Resource Type
Extent
vii, 73 p
Language
eng
Copyright Statement
In Copyright
Primary Member of
Peer-reviewed
No
Open Access
No
Handle
https://hdl.handle.net/2286/R.I.20911
Statement of Responsibility
by David Hauser
Description Source
Viewed on Oct. 31, 2014
Level of coding
full
Note
thesis
Partial requirement for: Ph. D., Arizona State University, 2013
bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (p. 67-70)
Field of study: Counseling psychology
System Created
- 2014-01-31 11:34:53
System Modified
- 2021-08-30 01:37:10
- 3 years 2 months ago
Additional Formats