Prosociality across adulthood: A developmental and motivational perspective

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Developmental Science

Background:

• Understanding motivations for prosocial behavior and generativity is crucial for comprehending adult development.
• Existing theories like expectancy-value and life span development provide frameworks for examining these contributions.
• Longitudinal data is needed to track developmental trajectories of contributing to others' well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the developmental trajectories of prosociality and generativity across adulthood.
• To investigate the roles of expectancy (perceived control, control strivings) and value (agreeableness) in these contributions.
• To identify individual differences influencing the development of prosociality and generativity.

Main Methods:

• Utilized longitudinal data from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS I, II, and III) national study.
• Employed expectancy-value theory and motivational theory of life span development as theoretical frameworks.
• Analyzed data to compare trajectories of overall prosociality (other-focused) and generativity (self-focused).

Main Results:

• Prosociality and generativity exhibit distinct developmental trajectories, both peaking in midlife but approximately a decade apart.
• Perceived control, control strivings, and agreeableness significantly predict prosociality and generativity.
• Individual differences in perceived control, education, income, and number of children influence prosocial trajectories, while perceived control and income affect generativity trajectories.

Conclusions:

• Prosociality and generativity are distinct yet related constructs that develop across adulthood, influenced by motivational factors.
• Midlife appears to be a critical period for maximizing contributions to others and oneself.
• Understanding these developmental pathways offers insights into adult motivation and well-being.