In Erikson's theory. __ encompasses adults' desire to leave legacies of themselves to the next generation. A (A) self-actualization B generativity C self-absorption D perpetuity

## Step 1<br />The problem is asking us to identify the term in Erik Erikson's theory that describes adults' desire to leave legacies of themselves to the next generation. <br /><br />## Step 2<br />Erikson's theory of psychosocial development outlines eight stages that a person goes through from infancy to late adulthood. Each stage is characterized by a conflict that the person must resolve to progress successfully to the next stage.<br /><br />## Step 3<br />The stage in question is the seventh stage, which typically occurs during middle adulthood (ages 40 to 65 yrs). This stage is characterized by the conflict between generativity and stagnation.<br /><br />## Step 4<br />Generativity refers to the concern of establishing and guiding the next generation. This is the stage where adults strive to create or nurture things that will outlast them, often by having children or creating a positive change that benefits other people.<br /><br />## Step 5<br />Self-actualization, on the other hand, is a concept from Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs, not Erikson's theory. It refers to the realization of one's potential and is the highest level of psychological development.<br /><br />## Step 6<br />Self-absorption is not a term typically used in Erikson's theory and does not relate to the concept of leaving legacies to the next generation.<br /><br />## Step 7<br />Perpetuity is a term more commonly associated with legal or philosophical discussions about time and does not fit within the context of Erikson's theory.