Final answer:
The middle-aged person showing a commitment to community and youth development through coaching and volunteering is exemplifying Erik Erikson's stage of generativity, a challenge associated with middle adulthood.
Step-by-step explanation:
The middle-aged person in the scenario who is actively involved in community services like coaching little league baseball and volunteering as a reader in public schools is demonstrating what Erik Erikson refers to as generativity. This reflects the stage of generativity versus stagnation, which is a characteristic challenge of middle adulthood.
Erik Erikson, a prominent psychologist, developed a theory of psychosocial development that outlines eight stages through the human lifecycle, each with a central challenge. In the middle adulthood stage, roughly from the 40s to mid-60s, the challenge individuals face is between generativity and stagnation. Generativity involves engaging in activities that contribute to the well-being and development of the next generation, such as parenting, teaching, mentoring, and through community involvement.
Those who invest their energies in these types of endeavors often derive a sense of purpose and connection with others, aiding in their personal growth and societal contribution. This is contrasted with stagnation, which occurs when an individual becomes self-absorbed or unproductive, feeling disconnected from the community and a lack of personal growth.
The person described in the question is exhibiting clear signs of generativity by actively contributing to the growth and development of young people, thus fulfilling Erikson's psychosocial stage for middle adulthood. They are expressing a nurturing capability and commitment to future generations, which comprises the essence of the generativity stage.