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This thorough, well-documented discussion of the varied psychological aspects of friendship is the latest in a series of studies of complicated psychic formations, ego interests, or structures, such as poise and motivation, by the same author. Unfortunately, they are ubiquitous and diffuse.
The main portion of the paper is concerned with metapsychology. The meaning of the need for friendship and how it is used to enhance a number of drives in various degrees of binding and neutralization is discussed from a dynamic point of view. Ontogenetically, friendly feelings derive from the earliest pleasure states. Friendship proper begins in the preoedipal period. During the Oedipal period, the child is too absorbed in this relationship to his parents to have much interest in friendship. The need and practice becomes more constant in latency and matures in adolescence and later. It also helps the adolescent in his struggle for ego identity.
The role of the analyst as 'friend' to the patient is discussed. He should be friendly but reserved and not become too emotionally involved. Strong countertransference destroys the analytic situation and puts an end to therapy. The paper closes with some remarks about pathology and treatment.