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This volume appears to be addressed to the public and the keynote of what it has to say is perhaps given in the following passage in the introduction. 'When we realize the great import of cultural conditions on neuroses the biological and physiological conditions, which are considered by Freud to be their root, recede into the background. The influence of these latter factors should be considered only on the basis of well established evidence.'
The first chapter contains a general appreciation of neurosis. We read that 'neurotic persons are different from the average individuals in their reactions. We should be inclined to consider neurotic, for example, a girl who prefers to remain in the rank and file, refuses to accept an increased salary, and does not wish to be identified with her superiors, or an artist who earns thirty dollars a week but could earn more if he gave more time to his work, and who prefers instead to enjoy life as well as he can on that amount, to spend a good deal of his time in the company of women or in indulging in technical hobbies.' This well illustrates the author's predominantly social conceptions. She constantly deprecates what she considers to be Freud's exaggerated views on biological factors and writes, for instance, in this connection: 'Freud's disregard of cultural factors not only leads to false generalizations, but to a large extent blocks an understanding of the real forces which motivate our attitudes and actions. I believe that this disregard is the main reason why psycho-analysis, inasmuch as it faithfully follows the theoretical paths beaten by Freud,