A Note on Idealization1

In recent years we have been compelled to recast our ideas about early stages of mental development. Already the discovery of the early onset of the Oedipus complex has brought about recognition of an early form of super-ego. The effect of these clinical discoveries on psycho-analytical theories is far reaching. As I have pointed out on several occasions, an early super-ego based on relations of the infant with so-called part-objects completely alters our views on narcissism, to say nothing of more dynamic concepts such as 'autoerotism' and 'polymorphous-perverse' impulses. These terms are not well adapted to express the relations of 'objects within the primitive ego.' Once this recasting process is set in motion there seems no reason to limit its activities to the structure of the ego or the stages of instinct modification. Logically we must apply it to the nature of mental mechanisms. In particular we must enquire whether most unconscious mechanisms do not begin to function much earlier than has hitherto been supposed.

During the observation of sexual perversions occurring in certain psychotic types, I have been struck with the fact that despite the early origin of the symptoms in question most of these patients made constant use of the process of idealization. Now according to accepted views idealization is a process which commences in late childhood and adolescence. It seemed difficult to reconcile this view with the fact that all these cases showed evident signs of regression of both ego and libido to very early stages of development.

Before considering this problem further we may summarize briefly what the accepted views are. Discussing the effect of repression on the sexual impulses of the five-year-old child, Freud points out2 that the child afterwards remains tied to the parents by aim-inhibited impulses, his emotions towards love objects being characterized as 'tender.' At puberty these tender feelings may in unfavourable cases remain separate fro