ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a short general formulation of the psychical developmental processes in the child, that is, of the problems of oral-sadistic impulses and their attendant anxieties. The fundamental defence-mechanisms against them employed by the ego at this stage of development, with special reference to the defensive functions of projection and introjection. The defensive measures that accompany libidinal development of course also play their part in the process. This leads to regret and remorse and an anxiety to repair harm and restore the damaged goodness both within and without—to bring back good feelings both in self and object. The lack of oral satisfaction and the anxieties and conflicts arising out of oral sadism thus seem to lead to the early manifestations of genital excitation in babies. The oral longings and biting, tearing feelings of fury towards unattainable desired objects are felt as unendurable persecutors within the self, gnawing, devouring and destroying.
