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This Panel was concerned with the issue of analyzability of child patients. Marjorie Harley, the Chairman, explained that the discussions would be based upon Anna Freud's developmental profile for the assessment of childhood health and pathology. Harley outlined the independent variables that determine the analyzability of any given child—i.e., the degree of phase-appropriate psychic structure, and the role of the parent.
In discussing the variable of ego structure, Harley specified what could be termed an "analyzability ratio" that has to be considered: the numerator being the degree of internalized (intersystemic) conflict, the denominator, the degree of psychic structural defect. She believed that the terms of this analyzability ratio should not be viewed in isolation from each other: "The partial deficiencies in ego development may, in some cases, increase the potential for (and become entangled with) later severe neurotic conflict, and this in turn may lessen the potential for at least a partial reversability of the primary ego defects. In addition, the texture and patterning of the later neurotic conflicts are inevitably influenced by these developmental defects."
Harley stated that the view of psychic development has gained added dimension because of our increased knowledge of early ego development and the vital role of the aggressive drive, not only in intersystemic conflicts, but also in augmenting or impeding ego growth and expansion. In this context, she cited especially Mahler's empirically based theory of early ego development. She further pointed out that the insights thus acquired in more recent years have encouraged many to broaden the