According to Erik Erikson:
A)the psychological task of old age is to achieve a sense of ego integrity.
B)the dying person progresses through a series of five distinct stages.
C)most older adults gradually disengage from social, occupational, and relationship roles.
D)the psychosocial conflict of late adulthood is initiative versus guilt.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, the psychological task of old age is to achieve a sense of ego integrity, which involves reflecting on one's life and feeling a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment. This contrasts with earlier stages in life, such as the psychosocial conflict of initiative versus guilt during early childhood. Therefore, choice A is the best choice. Choices B and D are incorrect because Erikson's theory includes eight stages of development, not five, and the psychosocial conflict of late adulthood is generativity versus stagnation, not initiative versus guilt. Choice C is partially correct in that some older adults experience disengagement, but this is not a universal experience and Erikson's theory primarily focuses on psychosocial development.