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The author presents in this book his system of typology, which is based on a hypothetical distinction between inborn and acquired personality traits. The inborn are those of the introvert and extravert personality types. The latter is subdivided into the 'impetuous extravert' predisposed to manic mood changes, and the 'deliberate extravert' prone to depression. Three acquired personality traits are distinguished; the hysterical, the obsessional and the paranoid. The author objects to the assumption that heredity may play a part in the origin of the obsessional neurosis. His argument runs as follows: the obsessional reaction is one of penitential remorse which arises from guilt; guilt arises from conscience, which is acquired; therefore the obsessional traits are acquired. There are twenty-four possible combinations of the three acquired and the three inborn clusters of traits described as personality types. These combinations can be used as diagnostic formulas which the author has found valuable not only as indicators of the personality structure and the type of mental disorder present but also as guides to prognosis and treatment. The system proposed by the author is certainly consistent in itself, though some of its basic assumptions, such as the differentiation between acquired and inborn traits, are founded on theory which is questionable. However, this is not decisive when it comes to assessing the practical value of a system which is based on clinical impressions. The author does not discuss where his system stands in relation to other typologies. Psycho-analysis is mentioned only cursorily. Fitzgerald is critical of certain aspects of psycho-analytical theory and therapy. Some of his criticism is based on philosophical objections to the biological foundation of psycho-analysis.