The author gives a number of examples of various forms of compulsions and their symbolic significance. He discusses the fact that compulsion neurotics do not express their impulses overtly, as in the case of criminals, but express them in the form of the neurosis. However, there seems no more point in emphasizing 'the criminal complex in compulsion neuroses' as opposed to other forms of neuroses.

The paper does not state any more than was stated long ago by Freud who discovered the asocial nature of unconscious impulses which are repressed but cause neurotic symptoms.