Generativity and social motives in young adults.

Abstract

Different forms of generativity described in the writings of E. H. Erikson (1950/1963) and J. Kotre (1984) were related to agentic and communal motives in a sample of young adults (M=28 years old). For women, the power motive related to parenting, whereas the achievement motive was associated with forms of generative expression outside of the household. The opposite pattern of achievement and power motive relationships was found for men, although in a weaker form. The affiliation-intimacy motive, on the other hand, related both to women's parenting and societal concerns. Differences in expectations and opportunities for young men and women may account for these gender differences. The results for women support D. P. McAdams's (1988) suggestion that agency and communion are important for understanding generativity