Bender disputes Freud's earliest concept that aggression is a primordial reaction to frustration, nor does she agree with his later formulation of it as related to the death instinct. Instead, she emphasizes inborn constructive tendencies and sees in aggression the result of an inadequate outlet or a developmental disorganization of these tendencies. In support of her viewpoint, she cites observations on schizophrenia, organic brain disease, and developmental handicaps of children. She takes issue with the use of the term 'hostility' applied to aimless and destructive behavior in institutionally reared children. Bender concludes that education and treatment must be based on furthering 'the normal maturation of the personality' and on ameliorating the 'developmental discrepancies in whatever field they may arise'.