Thirty-Some Years after Ferenczi's 'Stages in the Development of the Sense of Reality': Edmund Bergler. Psa. Rev., XXXII, 1945, pp. 125–145.

After recapitulating the four stages in the development of the sense of reality described by Ferenczi in his famous paper, Bergler presents nine clinical and one anthropological contribution which necessitate a broadening of Ferenczi's scheme. First is Freud's Totem and Taboo which describes specific types of magic not mentioned by Ferenczi. Second is Freud's concept of conversion hysteria which leads the way to modern psychosomatic medicine. Next are Abraham's ideas concerning the childhood concept of omnipotence of urine and feces which is a precursor of the 'omnipotence of thoughts'. Another clinical addition is the projection of omnipotence by the child onto other objects. Fifth is the aggressive component in magic. Sixth is Brill's contribution showing that omnipotence of thought may be largely oral in nature. Seventh, is a lengthly discussion of the various narcissistic attempts at restitution following injury or a sense of loss. Next are the clinical observations on oral neuroses and on gamblers in whom childhood megalomania leads to unconscious provocation and defeat. Ninth is the specific neurotic magic gesture described by Lieberman which always hides an unconscious aggression covering a masochistic approach. Last are Roheim's analyses of the various types of magic based on anthropological data.

Bergler then revises Ferenczi's scheme to include all these contributions. The specific writings of French and Fenichel on this subject are not mentioned.