1The views of Freud and those of later authors relative to masochism have been briefly reviewed.

2It is suggested that it is useful to view the problem in the following way. (a) Masochism is a normal component or characteristic of the human personality, as witness the part it plays in superego formation and functioning. (b) The difference between the normal and the masochistic character is one of degree rather than of kind. (c) Masochistic character traits and masochistic tendencies may be associated with many sorts of neurotic symptoms and a variety of other character disturbances. (d) In practice masochistic fantasies and character traits are always associated with sadistic ones; the label "sadomasochistic" would really be more appropriate than the label "masochistic." (e) Masochistic character traits and fantasies exhibit a multiple function and are multiply determined; this multiple function is most conveniently expressed in terms of coexisting tendencies of the ego, superego, and id. (f) Though there are similarities in the functions and