Bergler believes that every neurotic symptom has three layers. The basic neurosis is caused by conflict due to masochistic oral regression, which is forbidden by the superego. The primary defense is pseudoaggression. The culprit accepts blame for this in order to hide the greater crime, psychic masochism. Two patients used extreme exaggeration to ridicule parental authorities for their exaggeration; this was especially apparent in the transference. This aggression was only the primary defense against a more deeply repressed masochism, forbidden by the conscience. The punishment meted out by the parental figures for the aggression is accepted; thus the more important and more shameful conflict is hidden.