Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsGenerativity vs. StagnationLife StagesChallenges in Middle AdulthoodTheory Criticisms
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Generativity vs. Stagnation
Life Stages
Challenges in Middle Adulthood
Theory Criticisms
The stage of generativity vs. stagnation is important because it’s when people typically are intent on making a positive impact and creating a lasting legacy.
This article will delve into Erikson’s eight life stages while focusing on the seventh stage, examine examples of psychosocial challenges in middle adulthood, and explore the dynamics of embracing generativity while avoiding stagnation.
Zorica Nastasic / Getty Images
“Generativity” refers to a sense of productivity, contribution, and positively impacting the world. It may involve nurturing and guiding the next generation, mentoring others, or contributing to society through meaningful work or community involvement.
On the other hand, “stagnation” represents feeling stuck, unproductive, and lacking purpose. Those who experience stagnation may feel a sense of emptiness, lack of growth, or a lack of fulfillment in their lives. They may struggle to find a sense of meaning or purpose.
Age Range
During middle adulthood, which typically spans from the ages of 40 to 65, individuals experience the stage of generativity vs. stagnation, according to Erik Erikson’s psychosocial development theory. During this stage, people may often reflect on their lives and contemplate their contributions to society.
Examples
People may express generativity through various avenues, such as friendships, volunteerism, and active involvement in their communities. Examples of generativity include:
While generativity, in a nutshell, is caring for others and also reaching your full potential, stagnation might look more like lacking a sense of self, an inability to grow, or self-absorption.
Erickson’s theory suggests that when individuals fail to meet the challenges of their developmental stages, they may face the consequences of stagnation and emotional despair.Examples of stagnation include:
It’s important to note that individuals may experience a combination of generativity and stagnation at different times in their lives.
An Overview of Erikson’s Eight Life Stages
Erikson developed a theory about how people grow and change throughout their lives. According to his theory, there are eight stages that cover different parts of life. Each stage has its own challenges and tasks to overcome, as follows:
According to Erikson’s theory, if individuals fail to meet the developmental challenges during their life stages, they may experience emotional despair as the outcomes.By understanding these stages, it may help us learn more about how people change as they grow older and face different challenges in life.
Psychosocial Challenges in Middle Adulthood
In the realm of midlife, there are various misconceptions surrounding its nature and the significant developmental milestones and challenges people may encounter.
Midlife presents unique opportunities and challenges that set it apart from earlier and later life stages. These may include:
It is important to emphasize that midlife experiences also vary across race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status.
Honing Your Generativity Abilities
Generative acts may include the following:
Stepping Away From Stagnation
Here are some ways to foster personal growth and move away from stagnation based on Erikson’s theory:
Criticisms of Erikson’s Theory
Summary
The concept of generativity vs. stagnation is part of Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development. Generativity refers to making a positive impact and contributing to the world, such as through raising children, mentoring others, or engaging in meaningful work. Stagnation, on the other hand, represents feeling stuck and unproductive, lacking a sense of purpose.
Stepping toward generativity and away from stagnation may require seeking new experiences and challenges outside of one’s comfort zone, contributing to the community through meaningful work or mentorship, and surrounding oneself with supportive and positive individuals who inspire personal growth and provide new perspectives.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychology Association.Generativity vs stagnation.Predictors of prosocial behavior: Differences in middle aged and older adults.Personality and Individual Differences. 2016;101:322-326. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2016.05.367Malone JC, Liu SR, Vaillant GE, Rentz DM, Waldinger RJ.Midlife Eriksonian psychosocial development: Setting the stage for late-life cognitive and emotional health. Dev Psychol. 2016 Mar;52(3):496-508. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0039875Stagnation: Is it the dark side of generativity?, The Gerontologist, vol. 56, Iss. Suppl_3, November 2016, p. 243, https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnw162.972Helen Q. Kivnick, PhD, LP , Courtney K. Wells, MSW, MPH.Untapped richness in Erik H. Erikson’s rootstock.The Gerontologist, Volume 54, Issue 1, February 2014, Pages 40–50, https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnt123Infurna FJ, Gerstorf D, Lachman ME.Midlife in the 2020s: Opportunities and challenges. Am Psychol. 2020 May-Jun;75(4):470-485. doi: 10.1037/amp0000591. PMID: 32378943; PMCID: PMC7347230.Sheung-Tak Cheng,Generativity in later life: Perceived respect from younger generations as a determinant of goal disengagement and psychological well-being. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, Volume 64B, Issue 1, January 2009, Pages 45–54, https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbn027GoodTherapy.Erikson's eight stages of development.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychology Association.Generativity vs stagnation.Predictors of prosocial behavior: Differences in middle aged and older adults.Personality and Individual Differences. 2016;101:322-326. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2016.05.367Malone JC, Liu SR, Vaillant GE, Rentz DM, Waldinger RJ.Midlife Eriksonian psychosocial development: Setting the stage for late-life cognitive and emotional health. Dev Psychol. 2016 Mar;52(3):496-508. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0039875Stagnation: Is it the dark side of generativity?, The Gerontologist, vol. 56, Iss. Suppl_3, November 2016, p. 243, https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnw162.972Helen Q. Kivnick, PhD, LP , Courtney K. Wells, MSW, MPH.Untapped richness in Erik H. Erikson’s rootstock.The Gerontologist, Volume 54, Issue 1, February 2014, Pages 40–50, https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnt123Infurna FJ, Gerstorf D, Lachman ME.Midlife in the 2020s: Opportunities and challenges. Am Psychol. 2020 May-Jun;75(4):470-485. doi: 10.1037/amp0000591. PMID: 32378943; PMCID: PMC7347230.Sheung-Tak Cheng,Generativity in later life: Perceived respect from younger generations as a determinant of goal disengagement and psychological well-being. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, Volume 64B, Issue 1, January 2009, Pages 45–54, https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbn027GoodTherapy.Erikson's eight stages of development.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Psychology Association.Generativity vs stagnation.Predictors of prosocial behavior: Differences in middle aged and older adults.Personality and Individual Differences. 2016;101:322-326. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2016.05.367Malone JC, Liu SR, Vaillant GE, Rentz DM, Waldinger RJ.Midlife Eriksonian psychosocial development: Setting the stage for late-life cognitive and emotional health. Dev Psychol. 2016 Mar;52(3):496-508. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0039875Stagnation: Is it the dark side of generativity?, The Gerontologist, vol. 56, Iss. Suppl_3, November 2016, p. 243, https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnw162.972Helen Q. Kivnick, PhD, LP , Courtney K. Wells, MSW, MPH.Untapped richness in Erik H. Erikson’s rootstock.The Gerontologist, Volume 54, Issue 1, February 2014, Pages 40–50, https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnt123Infurna FJ, Gerstorf D, Lachman ME.Midlife in the 2020s: Opportunities and challenges. Am Psychol. 2020 May-Jun;75(4):470-485. doi: 10.1037/amp0000591. PMID: 32378943; PMCID: PMC7347230.Sheung-Tak Cheng,Generativity in later life: Perceived respect from younger generations as a determinant of goal disengagement and psychological well-being. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, Volume 64B, Issue 1, January 2009, Pages 45–54, https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbn027GoodTherapy.Erikson's eight stages of development.
American Psychology Association.Generativity vs stagnation.
Predictors of prosocial behavior: Differences in middle aged and older adults.Personality and Individual Differences. 2016;101:322-326. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2016.05.367
Malone JC, Liu SR, Vaillant GE, Rentz DM, Waldinger RJ.Midlife Eriksonian psychosocial development: Setting the stage for late-life cognitive and emotional health. Dev Psychol. 2016 Mar;52(3):496-508. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0039875
Stagnation: Is it the dark side of generativity?, The Gerontologist, vol. 56, Iss. Suppl_3, November 2016, p. 243, https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnw162.972
Helen Q. Kivnick, PhD, LP , Courtney K. Wells, MSW, MPH.Untapped richness in Erik H. Erikson’s rootstock.The Gerontologist, Volume 54, Issue 1, February 2014, Pages 40–50, https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnt123
Infurna FJ, Gerstorf D, Lachman ME.Midlife in the 2020s: Opportunities and challenges. Am Psychol. 2020 May-Jun;75(4):470-485. doi: 10.1037/amp0000591. PMID: 32378943; PMCID: PMC7347230.
Sheung-Tak Cheng,Generativity in later life: Perceived respect from younger generations as a determinant of goal disengagement and psychological well-being. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, Volume 64B, Issue 1, January 2009, Pages 45–54, https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbn027
GoodTherapy.Erikson’s eight stages of development.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
