The Hampstead Psychoanalytic Index

In this Manual we aim to record relatively direct expressions of instinctual drives (or their gratification in fantasy), which the therapist considers to be important for the understanding of the psychopathology of the child, or characteristic of his functioning in general or at a particular point in treatment.

The Manual is sub-divided into three main sections, the first dealing with the Zones of Excitation and Discharge and Levels of Instinctual Development, the second with Non-Developmental Aspects, i.e. those which are not specific to or characteristic for any one developmental phase or level, and the third providing for Summary statements of the child's instinctual development.

Under the first section (which is abbreviated on the cards to Zones and Levels) the text notes that those zones connected with the excitation and discharge of the main component sexual drives have given their name not only to levels of drive development but also to the more general levels of development which include the various developmental aspects of the ego and of object relationships. Thus, while there may be a particular progression in relation to zonal excitation and discharge, the non-instinctual psychic accompaniments may not correspond fully with the level normally associated with the particular zonal excitation. The sub-headings, e.g. Oral, Anal, Phallic, Genital, Heterosexuality, are provided to facilitate an assessment of the child's level of development, or for descriptions of specific drive manifestations if particularly relevant.

In order to designate developmental stages within these levels, the headings may be further sub-divided, e.g. Anal-Aggressive (and Expulsive), Anal-Retentive and Anal-Passive. The following example, indexed under Anal-Aggressive (and Expulsive) is of a boy, K.O., who was 11 years 4 months at the time of indexing.

K. showed disgust and contempt for adult sexual activities. He said people were just like animals and he begged th