The author uses the terms 'character' and 'ego style' interchangeably. Ego patterns and habitual behavior are also synonymous. Wilhelm Reich thought of character in terms of its functions as defense and resistance; Alexander used 'neurotic character' as a diagnosis pertaining to asymptomatic patients whose behavior acted as a resistance to analysis; Abraham and Freud described the anal origin of the obsessional character. It is emphasized that in addition to the defensive functions of ego style, there are positive, expressive functions that strive to fulfil ideal images of the self. If this fails, there are feelings of worthlessness and inadequacy. Each stage of development has its various anatomical correlates expressed as ego ideal. A further correlation is the author's attempt to use Erikson's eight stages of development with their polarized sets of attitudes to trace the construction of character or ego style.