Transference is an attempt at reparative mastery of the traumatic failure of the infantile dependence displaced to substitute objects. The fixation in transference can be defined as fixation to the anxiety-reducing effect of libidinal dependence; the latter refers to the protective function of libidinal gratification in the early infantile relations. The amalgamation in libidinal dependence of gratification and defence against trauma points to a dual aspect of transference.