Who Cares? Generativity and the Moral Emotions, Part 1. Advancing the “Psychology of Ultimate Concerns”

Abstract

Contemporary thinking in generativity theory and research (de St. Aubin, McAdams, & Kim, 2004) and in the “psychology of ultimate concerns” (Emmons, 1999) posits that Erik Erikson's notion of generativity is a multi-faceted construct concerned with the moral telos of positive psychological growth, but one that has yet to be satisfactorily explored. The current article draws on some of Erikson's (2000) less-cited descriptions of generativity to propose a new domain for generativity theory and research, termed relational generativity. Relational generativity is conceptualized as the motive and capacity to take care of the strengths-development of cared for others, and is delineated as (a) a moral telos (to be pursued), (b) a motive (to be activated), (c) a psychological capacity (to be developed), and (d) an investment (to be given). Christian ethicist Don Browning (2006) suggests that these features substantively outline Erikson's relational ethic of “generative mutuality” and provide a view of relational well-being that potentially enriches the Christian understanding of neighbor-love. Suggestions for continued theoretical and empirical development of relational generativity, and its relevance to the relational spirituality paradigm are offered. Collectively this three-article series extends the author's recent proposal for a moral motive approach to emotion and transformation (Leffel, 2007a, 2007b, 2007c).

Generativity development among college students who mentor: a sequential multimethod quantitative study

“…Additionally, the significant and positive change in generative behavior demonstrated in the current study affirms the relevancy of generativity research among emerging adults (Espin et al. , 1990; Leffel, 2008; McAdams et al. , 1993).…”

The Act of Giving: A Systematic Review of Nonfamilial Intergenerational Interaction

“…The counter side of this generativity is stagnation, which if not meaningfully resolved, leads to a sense of despair in the final developmental stage of life. Leffel's (2008) framework of multifaceted generativity, based on Erikson's construct of relational generativity, contains the premise that self-investment is offered (given) to the other person. Many studies (e.g., Cheng, Chan, & Phillips, 2004;Herrmann, Sipsas-Herrmann, Stafford, & Herrmann, 2005;Kleiber & Nimrod, 2008) identify the significant contribution a sense of generativity makes to the mental health of older adults.…”

Narrative Identity Formation in Midlife Korean Christian Women

“…It was interesting to note that all the virtues desired by participants were expressions of care for others. Leffel (2008) introduces the concept of relational generativity as a virtue of care that involves moral telos—a motive, a capacity, and an investment to be given . He suggested that moral emotion capacities are involved in the conversion of generative thoughts into generative action and identity (Leffel, 2008).…”

“…Leffel (2008) introduces the concept of relational generativity as a virtue of care that involves moral telos—a motive, a capacity, and an investment to be given . He suggested that moral emotion capacities are involved in the conversion of generative thoughts into generative action and identity (Leffel, 2008). This conversion process—from generative thoughts to generative action—was noted in many of these participants’ life journeys.…”