According to Erikson's model, the task assigned to late adulthood is:

• A. Generativity vs Stagnation
• B. Integrity versus Despair
• C. Autonomy vs Dependence
• D. Ego Integrity vs Despair

Answer: (B)

In Erikson’s view, the task of late adulthood revolves around integrity versus despair. As people approach the end of life, they reflect on their experiences and decide whether their life has been coherent and meaningful. If they can accept both their achievements and their mistakes, reconcile regrets, and feel a sense of wholeness, they develop integrity and a peaceful acceptance of aging and mortality. If they focus on missed opportunities, unresolved conflicts, or a sense that life was wasted, despair can emerge, bringing bitterness, regret, and fear of death.

In practice, counselors can support integrity by encouraging life review and reminiscence, validating past decisions, helping clients find meaning and continuity, and fostering continued purpose. The other terms refer to stages from earlier in life: generativity versus stagnation is the middle-age focus on productive contribution to the next generation, while autonomy versus dependence relates to early childhood independence. The concept labeled as ego integrity versus despair is just another way some texts phrase the same late-life stage.