Erik Erikson, a renowned ego psychologist, came up with his theory of psychosocial stages of development in the latter part of the 20th century. Erikson was influenced by the theories of Freud, particularly, the psychosexual stages of development, and inspired by his work developed into psychological development and how biology and environment both play a role in influencing it. He progressed past the theories of Freud, theorized how human personality develops from birth to death, through eight stages, and named them the “psychosocial stages of development”. Today, in this article we discuss Erik Erikson’s seventh stage of psychosocial development — Generativity vs. Stagnation.
What are the Psychosocial Stages of Development?
This theory was popularised in his book “Childhood and Society”, which he published in the year 1950. His work was initially impacted by Freud and his theories of psychosexual development, which talks about how the development of personality takes place through stages, from childhood to adulthood, where libido (sexual desire and pleasure) is derived from different erogenous zones. Erikson’s theory also reflects the nuance of personality development through a series of eight stages, from birth to death. The difference was this— Freud’s theory was mainly a sexual drive theory, and Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development focused on the impact of social context and experiences on personality and its development.
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The stages of Erikson’s theory follow a sequence and the development of an individual in each stage depends on how the individual has handled the preceding stages. Each stage is presented as a dichotomy, a conflict that results in the development of a quality or failure to acquire that quality. For example, the first stage of Erikson’s psychosocial stages is Trust versus Mistrust. If the child is successful in this stage, then they will develop the quality of trust (which would help them in the future, as they would feel safe and secure with their place in the world), failure at this stage will lead to the child developing mistrust and feel displaced and fearful in the world.
Impact on Success and Psychological Well-being
Therefore, appropriate development is necessary for people to be successful in their lives. Failure at one stage to overcome the conflict can harm the negative and they might not develop the important skills needed to maintain the healthy self.
As this theory is a part of ego psychology, Erikson defines that achievement at one stage, where an individual overcomes a conflict and attains mastery of a psychological strength (such as trust), is also known as ego strength. Individuals often refer to this as ego quality, experiencing a sense of mastery in their lives and feeling competent. Failure to achieve mastery will lead to an individual having a poor sense of worth, and feeling incompetent throughout this life.
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Preceding Stage: Intimacy vs. Isolation
As briefly explained above, each stage of the theory builds on the previous stages of development, it becomes important to understand what these preceding stages are before we move on to understand generativity vs. Stagnation.
The sixth stage that precedes generativity vs. Stagnation is the stage of Intimacy versus Isolation that occurs between the ages of 20 to 44 years. The central virtue to develop at this stage is love and the conflict that an individual aims to resolve revolves around the question — Can I find companionship with another person?
It is information for young adults to enter into relationships that are enduring, intimate, and successful. Failure at this stage leads to one feeling isolated and alone. With the development of love as a virtue, an individual has mastered the ability to maintain and form successful and strong relationships with other people.
Delving into the Stage of Generativity vs. Stagnation
The next stage of generativity vs. stagnation occurs between the ages of 45 to 64 years. The central virtue to develop at this stage is care and the conflict that an individual aims to resolve revolves around the question — can I make my life count?
Generativity refers to the will to contribute and give back to society by guiding the next generation. Adults feel the need to nurture long-lasting relationships through children or positive change. Success in this fosters a sense of usefulness and accomplishment, while failure in this (stagnation) results in shallow involvement in the world. Generativity includes engaging in meaningful work through parenting (the future generation), giving back to the community, or mentoring.
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Transitioning from Personal Growth to Generative Purpose
As we move on to the previous stage, and if successful, form a meaningful relationship, we begin to pay attention to the career we have built and the family we have forged from these relationships.
Generativity means being productive and having a sense of concern for the welfare, development, and progress of future generations. Individuals at this stage aim to give back to the community by leaving a lasting positive impact. Similarly, they also want to positively impact and influence their family, or society. They achieve this aim by raising children, mentoring others, contributing to social causes, or excelling in a career.
In contrast, stagnation represents a lack of growth and contribution. Individuals who fail to develop a sense of generativity may feel a sense of emptiness, leading to a focus on their own needs and desires without considering the broader impact on others. This stage may result in a midlife crisis characterized by feelings of dissatisfaction and a search for meaning.
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Parenting, Career, and the Pursuit
At this stage, between the conflict of generativity versus stagnation, parenting, and career are two activities that take center stage. Parents who successfully guide and nurture their children contribute to generativity, while those who neglect this responsibility may experience stagnation. Likewise, Individuals who achieve success in their careers contribute to generativity and vice versa.
Erikson’s psychosocial theory provides valuable insights into the challenges individuals face during different stages of life. The conflict between stagnation and generativity during middle adulthood highlights the importance of contributing to society and fostering personal growth. Successfully navigating this stage sets the foundation for a fulfilling and purposeful life in the later years.
 
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