Kris offers a review, partly historical, partly a presentation of his own view, of several aspects of the "stance," including the analyst's neutrality; the nature of transference and how it is treated by the analyst; and interpretation. His views are practical and helpful. He describes two quite different understandings of transference: as a re-creation of an old relationship, or as expressing all the patient's unconscious fantasies, those from the past and those arising from present problems. The confusion of these two ideas causes trouble to the analyst.

Kris also writes about divergent and convergent conflict. What is especially striking in the paper is his discussion of Kohut's ideas; Kris believes Kohut's tolerant attitude toward the patient can help the patient sufficiently to overcome shame to be able to work on self-critical thoughts. An "affirmative attitude," meaning careful avoidance of anything that might seem critical of the patient, permits the narcissistic patient to deal with the sense of entitlement.