DISCUSSION: Dr. Aaron H. Esman felt that the acquisition of abstract conceptual thought, as described by Piaget, is instrumental in the revision of ego ideal and superego standards during adolescence. The reference to Mahler's work in Blos's discussion of a second individuation phase is an important analogy and can be extended even further to subphase parallels. Dr. Esman stated his belief that major regression in adolescence is not as ubiquitous as generally thought. What is essential for the adolescent is an openness to the possibility of regression and the absence of a premature closure of possibilities. Dr. Peter B. Neubauer said that Dr. Blos's outstanding application of the developmental point of view to adolescence offers a challenge to the recapitulation theory. Adolescence is not only a new phase organization which permits different solutions to earlier problems, but a phase in which there are new and specific tasks.