ABSTRACT
Particularly since the introduction into biology by Darwin of the concept of Evolution 1 and its immediate accessory theories, such as the onto- and philogenetic parallelism (Biogenetic Law of Häckle), 2 genetic studies and explanations have received much attention. Child and animal psychology have been strongly influenced by the genetic idea, while the wide application of the concept of instinct in general psychology is another manifestation of it. 3 But especially in psychopathology, the idea of genetic phases or successive stratifications (Schichtenbau) comes very much to the fore. The studies of Head and Rivers on successive regeneration of the protopathic and epicritic sensibility were very important starting-points. 4 How closely the idea of genetic stratifications is bound up with possibilities of successive destruction and regression to earlier mental layers, can be well judged from works as those of W. Jaensch and A. Storch. 5 Especially Storch endeavours to explain psychopathy and many psychoses as a remaining at, or even a regression to earlier genetic phases.
