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Rangell points out that Hartmann's work adds to and clarifies existing concepts in psychoanalysis. He elaborates the concept of the self and emphasizes the cathexis of the self rather than of the ego as the opposite of object conflicts that can exist within it, such as among competing ego interests or ego functions. Hartmann also has enlarged our scope in therapeutic technique, dealing more fully with reality aspects of the patient's behavior, conflicts with reality as well as inner conflicts, and interactions between the patient's neurosis and his nonconflictual functioning. In general he has developed a structural psychology for psychoanalysis which places in balance biological and cultural influences, neither overemphasizing the former in the manner of the Kleinian school nor overemphasizing the cultural in the manner of various other approaches to human behavior.
Hartmann extends the concepts of psychoanalysis to embrace a normal and general psychology and to include direct child observation in its sources of data. His work articulates psychoanalysis with the social sciences, academic psychology, experimental psychology, biology, medicine, and philosophy. Most important, his contributions are stimulating research.