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- Willie gets a train set for Christmas and his father helps him to set it up and encourages him to expand the set and try new configurations. Willie develops a capability for planning purposefully.
- Erikson's 3rd stage, early childhood. The developmental crisis is being encouraged to build new patterns (initiative) or feeling discouraged because his toys are in the way or taking up too much space (guilt).
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- Willie and Nita have been courting for a few years and have decided to get married and share their lives together.
- Erikson's 6th stage: the developmental crisis is that Willie either chooses to commit himself to another emotionally (intimacy) or to live without a committed relationship (isolation).
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- Willie has a stable job and is raising two children. He teaches them the importance of contributing to society and striving to make the best of life.
- Erikson's 7th stage, middle adulthood: the developmental crisis is caring for others and contributing to your society (generativity) versus focusing on ones self and own interests (stagnation).