The author extends the concept of self-representation of Hartmann and Jacobson by indicating that during development these may acquire positive (pleasurable) and negative (unpleasurable) 'valences'. The repression of the latter is one of the most important functions of the ego. He believes the earliest appearance of such self-representations occurs once some distinction between self and object has been made, undergoing continuous change, modification, and re-evaluation during development. He further discusses under what conditions negative self-representations may develop; how an animal phobia reveals the harbinger's perception of his self-representation; and the relationship of negative self-representation to ambivalence. What is not too clear, however, is whether the author is speaking only of the concept of 'self-representation' or also about the concept of 'self'.