The EGO

The stages previously discussed are what Spitz opens this book with and with the new information about the development of the ego, he builds on his previous findings. An example of this would be what he calls, “the smiling response.” He inquires that this response is a bit too soon for the child to truly be an “object relation.” He says that this is precursor to this and he termed this phase “preobjectal relations.”


During the phase of “non-differentiation,” it is said that there are certain things that can be done to get a baby to laugh or cry or give any type of response. An example of this would be if a person were to make what they think to be a funny face at the child, and the baby cries or laughs. The reaction is random.

After many years of research and publications of child development and ego development, Spitz passed away in 1974 in Denver. His many findings have influenced other psychologists such as Heinz Hartmann to carry on his research. Without Rene Spitz’ findings, we might have not been able to figure out how infants develop psychologically and how the ego is formed.