ABSTRACT
Freud has given a very clear idea of the gradual modification of conditions for danger in different stages of ego-development. This is valuable in two directions; first of all we can observe the point at which adaptation to inner dangers becomes unsuitable. Secondly, we can see how important a part is played by infantile sexuality in neurogenesis. Just when the danger situation has been narrowed down to the genital organization, as in the phallic stage, the action of repression puts a check on effective adaptation. There is still of course a slight adaptation value in anxiety concerning loss of love from the super-ego, e.g. where social anxiety insists on meticulous correspondence to local convention. But the capacity for regression is quick to neutralize and outweigh this adaptation remainder. Anxiety is the reaction to danger, and can have either a controlled or an uncontrolled expression.
