fei75766_ch07_206-241.indd 224  02/06/20 11:52 AM
Part II    Psychodynamic Theories224
Procreativity
Erikson’s psychosexual theory assumes aninstinctual drive toperpetuate thespe-
cies.Thisdrive isthecounterpart ofanadult animal’s instinct toward procreation 
andisanextension ofthegenitality thatmarks young adulthood (Erikson, 1982). 
However, procreativity refers tomore thangenital contact withanintimate partner. 
Itincludes assuming responsibility forthecareofoffspring thatresult from that
sexual contact. Ideally, procreation should follow from themature intimacy andlove
established during thepreceding stage. Obviously, people arephysically capable of
producing offspring before theyarepsychologically ready tocareforthewelfare of
these children.
Mature adulthood demands more thanprocreating offspring; itincludes car-
ingforone’s children aswellasother people’s children. Inaddition, itencompasses 
working productively totransmit culture from onegeneration tothenext.
Generativity versus Stagnation
Thesyntonic quality ofadulthood isgenerativity, defined as“thegeneration ofnew
beings aswellasnewproducts andnewideas” (Erikson, 1982, p.67).Generativity, 
which isconcerned withestablishing andguiding thenextgeneration, includes the
procreation ofchildren, theproduction ofwork, andthecreation ofnewthings and
ideas thatcontribute tothebuilding ofabetter world.
People haveaneed notonlytolearn butalsotoinstruct. Thisneed extends 
beyond one’s ownchildren toanaltruistic concern forother young people. Genera -
tivity grows outofearlier syntonic qualities suchasintimacy andidentity. Asnoted 
earlier, intimacy callsfortheability tofuseone’s egotothatofanother person 
without fearoflosing it.Thisunity ofegoidentities leads toagradual expansion of
interests. During adulthood, one-to-one intimacy isnolonger enough. Other people, 
especially children, become partofone’s concern. Instructing others intheways of
culture isapractice found inallsocieties. Forthemature adult, thismotivation is
notmerely anobligation oraselfish need butanevolutionary drive tomake acon-
tribution tosucceeding generations andtoensure thecontinuity ofhuman society 
aswell.
Theantithesis ofgenerativity isself-absorption and stagnation. Thegenerational 
cycle ofproductivity andcreativity iscrippled when people become tooabsorbed 
inthemselves, tooself-indulgent. Such anattitude fosters apervading sense ofstag-
nation. Some elements ofstagnation andself-absorption, however, arenecessary. 
Creative people must, attimes, remain inadormant stage andbeabsorbed withthem -
selves inorder toeventually generate newgrowth. Theinteraction ofgenerativity and
stagnation produces care, thebasic strength ofadulthood.
Care: The Basic Strength of Adulthood
Erikson (1982) defined careas“awidening commitment totake care ofthepersons, 
theproducts, andtheideas onehaslearned tocare for ”(p.67).Asthebasic strength 
ofadulthood, carearises from eachearlier basic egostrength. Onemust havehope, 
will,purpose, competence, fidelity, andloveinorder totakecareofthatwhich one
cares for.Care isnotadutyorobligation butanatural desire emerging from thecon-
flictbetween generativity andstagnation orself-absorption.Final PDF to printer