The author agrees with Dr Igra that there does appear to be a difference between male and female destructiveness. The conceptual picture referred to is not, however, the primary scene, but the different kind of narcissism occurring in the two sexes. The result of this is that the man seeks to protect his surface, the woman her inner being. Despite the difference, both sexes use the same means of defence: activity, in the form of violence directed at the other party, or passivity, as a withdrawal from this party.

It is important to consider the differences in terminology arising during discussion when two authors are from different schools of thought; these problems in communication should receive serious attention.