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Psychoanalysis has given rise to the first systematic theory of character-genesis. Our characterology is a genetic one, considering the instincts and their fates, the unconscious, and the early childhood; our characterology is an understanding and predicting one. Psychoanalysis has always acknowledged the constitutional point of view, but is still awaiting the contributions of endocrinology, biochemistry, and biology, the somatic view of characterology.
Heredity undoubtedly plays an important role in the development of character. Certain characters may run in families, but we do not yet know how much this is the result of identification rather than inheritance. We believe in the heredity of instincts of different intensities, in heredity of qualities of the Ego, e.g., inclination to certain defense mechanisms of the Ego, etc.
It is well known that Freud himself initiated characterology with his paper “Character and Anal Eroticism”. Here he gave the significant formula for the defined character, insofar as it originates in the instincts— “that persisting character-traits are either continuations of the original instincts, their sublimations or reactions against them.” We have since learned a good deal about the transformation of the instincts by the Ego and the environment, especially, the social field. But the picture of neurosis, however, is the same for the poor as the rich. In J. B. Brown's “The Psychodynamics of Abnormal Behavior” we find the most detailed description of character traits evolved from certain instincts. Experience convinces us that a special kind of neurosis or a particular character is based on certain instincts. The converse, however, is not true. The only father I ever knew, who had not only beaten his children when in rage but also bit them, so that they had blue spots for some days, — now lives after a successful life quietly retired as a conscientious vegetarian.
The second phase of characterology began with increased interest in Ego-psycholog