Lecture 16 Flashcards
Generativity is
A concern and investment in the growth and development of others
Challenges of generativity
Engage in multiple social spheres
Extend oneself to others
Provide leadership, guidance and support
Support the next gen so they develop trust, autonomy, initiative, industry and identity
Measuring generativity (marcia) Interview
Semi structured interview that assesses
(1) Level of deep involvement or concern for the growth of others
(2) An individual’s inclusivity or scope of care-giving concern
Stagnant: Narrow scope, shallow involvement
Pseudo-generative: Wide scope, shallow involvement
Conventional: Narrow scope, deep involvement
Generative: Wide scope, deep involvement
Anecdote: Win Win
Lawyer takes advantage of old client cos is in financial debt
Grandson comes to stay
Lawyer coaches wrestling team
Is very generative
Anecdote: Profs friend
Prof Publishes articles, books and stories Makes many things like Tableau Vivant Just cos felt this would be cool Super generative
Measuring generativity (McAdams): Questionnaires
3 components
Generative concerns
Generative acts
Generative strivings or commitments
Concerns are items like “I try to pass along knowledge I have gained through experience”
Acts include “read a story to a child”
Commitments include “make job more interesting”
These are all independent though they correlate at .4
To assess generativity, do all 3
Score by age
Gen concerns and actions peak at 37-42
Gen strivings peak at 67-72
Maybe cos life is elongated
Generative strivings and well being
Young vs mid life adults
Identity vs generative strivings
The age appropriate striving predicts well being for each age group
young adults benefit from identity, mid from generativity
Erikson was correct in that midlife is prime time for generativity but it is not all there.
Generativity and social activities
Generative people have:
An extensive network of friends
Social support in the community
Greater satisfaction with social relationships
Greater involvement with church activities
Generative parents are
More involved in children's Homework Parent teacher association Attendance at school functions Knowledge of academic and social aspects of school
Use an authoritive parenting style (high structure and support of autonomy)
College age kids of generative parents have
Higher A & C
Greater positive emotions in daily life
Greater involvement in politics
Generativity and successful aging
Breaking down in age is not needed
Generative people are able to do this better
Prospective studies of generativity
Generative 50 year old women, after 10 years showed
better satisfaction in life (General, maternal and marital)
Successful ageing (identity certainty and less concern about ageing)
Positive personality development
Increased A, O and dropped N
O usually goes down in this age range but not for them
Generativity in midlife and successful ageing
2000 people in 60s assessed then and 10 years later
25% died, 25% reduced activities of daily living
Controlled for health and demographic status
Double risk of disability and death (low generativity)
Why does generativity lead to better outcomes for ourselves?
We feel better about ourselves if we are generative
