In this paper, a statistical approach to Alexander's specificity of 'ulcer type' hypothesis, ulcer patients were asked to sort cards according to whether the statements most or least described the patient. The type of statements used are supposed to be divisible into broad groups around the categories of dependency, intimacy, fight, and flight, but it is not known what each statement meant to

each patient, consciously or unconsciously. In the twenty-one patients tested, two main groups emerged, one revolving around dependency and the other around intimacy. One interesting finding was that all patients with intimacy difficulties showed no weight loss, while all those having a problem with dependency had a weight loss. Some speculations as to the meaning of this difference and to choice of treatment are offered.