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This paper is based on a study of mothers of schizophrenic, neurotic, and normal persons. Serial interviews and psychological tests confirmed that the mothers of schizophrenic patients have specific characteristics not found in the other groups. The mothers of schizophrenics were less able to recognize, interpret, and react to the behavior of their children. In the interviews they manifested chaotic forms of communication while sounding superficially sensible. They expressed a need to restrict the child's sexual curiosity and they could not recall the time or details of toilet training. Results of psychological tests, including a child-rearing questionnaire, a sentence completion test, a word connection test, and a Rorschach, correlated with the interview findings. The mothers of schizophrenics did not adapt well to external reality, as shown by poor reality testing, marked denial, and projection. Disorders of thought were prominent, giving an impression of 'diluted schizophrenia' in these mothers. The author feels this study substantiates the conclusion that early maternal environment is probably more important than genetic and constitutional factors in the etiology of schizophrenia. Further investigations are required of the fathers and of nonschizophrenic siblings.