Pre-oedipal development of the superego

The literature pertaining to the development of early superego precursors is reviewed. This development is traced through the oral, anal, and phallic levels of psychosexual development. Additional attention is paid to such significant theoretical issues as the 'auditive sphere' and the shifting nature of ideal types. Ego ideal and superego are treated as an integrated system comprised of cognitive, affective, and behavioural components. A sequential developmental scheme is proposed for understanding the evolution of superego primordia.