Dr. Sterba reminds us that in a transference situation the ego of the patient may be drawn in two different and actually antithetical directions at the same time, i.e. instinctual gratification and defence. The normal basis of such a division of the ego is its capacity to regard itself objectively. This division, says Dr. Sterba, is on the model of super-ego formation; it differs from this in not being a stage in ego-formation, but taking place subsequently in the mature ego. The analyst's interpretations of the transference situations should bring about an identification of part of the ego with the analyst for reality ends, giving ability to regard objectively and to deal with the other division of the ego between instinctual gratification and defence. The synthetic function of the ego can then have its full value.