One portion of the conflict-free sphere of the ego involves affective attitudes which are secondary autonomous functions existing along with primary ones but

having different genetic roots. Seriousness is an example of such an attitude. Its development begins in the earliest neonatal experiences with the mother, continues through successive phases of psychosexual development, and optimally may continue until senescence. The attitude may be excessive, insufficient, or otherwise pathological. Its treatment is easier where the attitude is ego-alien, more difficult where ego-syntonic. Most difficult of all are those cases in which the attitude, besides being ego-syntonic, requires additional tasks of deneutralization and disidentification from superego and ego ideal objects.