ABSTRACT
Sigmund Freud's structural theory was taken up by the proponents of what came to be called ego psychology, who attempted to develop psychoanalysis from a psychology of neurotic phenomena and dreams into a general psychology, in line with some of Freud's latest concerns. In 1937, Heinz Hartmann presented his monograph Ego Psychology and the Problem of Adaptation to the Vienna Psychoanalytic Society. Some thirty years later, Anna Freud was to write on how Hartmann and she had entered the Vienna Psychoanalytic Society in the same year. While Hartmann focused on the conflict-free ego in his theorizing, Anna Freud developed at the same time a conception of what may be called a 'defending ego.' Her belief that whatever an analyst sees is seen in terms of the ego, was very innovative at that time. Charles Brenner is a recognized authority in ego psychology, and his formulations and assumptions are representative of prevailing views in ego psychology.
