ABSTRACT
In this chapter we limit our attention to research on particular themes and concepts in the literature on developmental stages of ageing. We start with recent work on one of Erikson’s more neglected concepts, which he employed to refer to the mid-life stage of ‘generativity versus stagnation’. Within Erikson’s model, generativity is defined as ‘primarily the concern in establishing and guiding the next generation’ (Erikson, 1963: 258). Recent work conducted on this concept demonstrates the importance of rigorous definition and operationalisation if theories are to be adequately tested and a sound empirical knowledge base constructed.
