Hill sees infantile personalities as not regressed but rather lacking in progression. As a result of persistent lack of development, 'they do not grasp the components of the situation and therefore do not evolve appropriately differentiated

responses leading to mastery'. He suggests that this incapacity results from a defect in the love relationship to the mother in the earliest months, with faulty identifications and shallow interests as an aftermath. Infantile personalities are characterized by intolerance of frustration, acting out, and a disposition to visceral reactions. They do not lend themselves to psychoanalytic techniques, except such as are used with children. Therapeutic efforts must be consequently limited to dealing with concrete tasks, preparing them for simple roles and developing their special talents.