Final answer:
The basic conflict in the maturity stage according to Erikson's theory is integrity versus despair, where individuals reflect on their lives to achieve completeness or face unfulfilled desires. Other aging theories, like Modernization theory, also indicate loss of societal power can contribute to this struggle.
Step-by-step explanation:
The basic conflict in the maturity stage, as articulated within the field of psychology by Erik H. Erikson, relates to the challenge of integrity versus despair. This is part of Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, which outlines eight stages throughout life. In the context of the maturity stage—often referred to as late adulthood—individuals face the task of reflecting on their life and either achieving a sense of completeness and fulfillment (integrity) or feeling a sense of failure and unfulfilled desires (despair).
In the conflict perspective of aging, another theory known as Modernization theory suggests that older individuals lose power and influence in society, which can contribute to the struggle between integrity and despair. Additionally, conflicts during this maturity stage can include conflict with self (beliefs, values, goals), conflict with society (government, economics, classes), and others such as conflict with another character, conflict with nature, or conflict with greater powers like gods or fate.
Therefore, in Erikson's developmental stages, older people must struggle primarily with overcoming despair to achieve integrity, which can involve reconciling disappointments in various aspects of their lives, such as career or personal relationships, and either arriving at a sense of accomplishment or continuing to grapple with regret.