The author suggests that emotional growth is achieved through cyclic regressive defenses, each at a different plane of performance but directly related to preoedipal instinctual roots. Frustrated passive libidinal strivings trigger aggressive sadistic drives. Similarly, passive genital (oedipal) strivings give rise to genital sadistic drives against the parent of the opposite sex, with (male) anal regressive and (female) clitoridean shift and denial of genitality. Psychoses are regressive defenses against acting out of destructive impulses. These cyclic repetitions of instinctual conflicts may be displaced onto social equivalents. Only by this hypothesis, Dalmau believes, can we understand how seriously pathologic leaders and thinkers may nevertheless exert powerful influence on society.