To oversimplify somewhat, the psychoanalytic position with respect to sex and gender identity takes into account two factors: the confirmation of the external genitalia (male or female), and the psychological influences which exist in the parent-child relationship. The great value of Dr. Stoller's paper is that it demands serious consideration of two additional factors: the genetic (chromosome configuration) and the physiological (endocrine profile).

In effect, the paper says that while it may be true that the psychology of the parent-child relationship is the primary determinant of gender identity, we must recognize that there are other factors which may be of great importance and should be examined in all cases of confusion about gender identity.