Siegman demonstrates that exhibitionism is associated with active striving to master infantile fascination that was passively experienced at crucial, early levels of development. The author acknowledges the importance of phallic components and the role of scopophilia in the genesis of exhibitionism. However, he emphasizes the pregenital and nonvisual roots of exhibitionism, particularly as they relate to early ego states, when self and object are incompletely differentiated, and both pleasurable and unpleasurable sensations are felt to have been brought about by an omnipotent object. Although exhibitionism is a defensive maneuver in that it involves a turning from passivity to activity, Siegman feels that the form and quality of exhibitionism, and the ability to sublimate, are determined by the phase-specific coloration of significant fascinating experiences and the relative strength of aggressive and libidinal elements.