One way of appreciating the adaptive potential of the emerging self is to examine the lives of individuals whose
adult years have been characterized by generativity rather than stagnation (Erikson, 1963). These are human beings
who experience significant adversities in their lives yet are able to move beyond these adversities in adulthood to
make remarkable contributions to others and to society. In the following appendix, the lives of three individuals,
who are discussed in chapter 1, are summarized. Each of them transcended various adversities - racism, trauma and
poverty - to make important contributions to the world.
