ABSTRACT
Aggression changes its quality as the infant grows. This change absolutely depends on the kind of environment in which the infant finds himself. With good-enough mothering and a facilitating environment, aggression in the growing child becomes integrated. D. W. Winnicott supplies his audience of teachers with many examples of how primary aggression manifests itself in external relationships; at the same time, he includes the idea of an inner world where aggression manifests itself through fantasy. By 1945, Winnicott’s thoughts on aggression have evolved considerably. In his first seminal paper, "Primitive Emotional Development", many of the themes that continue to preoccupy Winnicott for the rest of his life are set out like a ground-plan for all his later conceptualizations. In times of helplessness this transformation breaks down, and aggression reappears. Social activity cannot be satisfactory except it be based on a feeling of personal guilt in respect of aggression.
