Economic factors do not fundamentally influence the manifestations and symptomatology of neurosis. The economic setting has importance in some forms of neurosis, especially the compensation neurosis. The basic structure of neurosis among white people belonging to the present culture is not different in various white races, although their cultural background is different. Neuroses are more frequent among Jews. In Negroes, Malays and generally in more primitive economic, racial and cultural situations, hysterical pictures of a particular type prevail.

Hereditary and constitutional factors may play a part in neuroses. The real value of these factors is unknown. They probably give the dynamic value to the psychological conflicts underlying the neurosis. Psychological conflict is basically dependent on the small sociological units in which the child gets love and protection, the family in its widest sense. The libidinal structure of the family is of fundamental importance. Society acts on the child at first through the family unit and its ideologies.