Although a number of possible adjustment states are open to the primitive "R" or "F" at the basic level, the variations take one of two major directions. In brief, the individual will be either primarily uncompensated or compensated. In either case, the tendency can be moderate or extreme. The sections which follow do not discuss all of the variations which are possible.
In the theory's view, the individual makes certain lasting adjustments with regard to his primitive rigidity or flexibility, which become fixed and stabilized at adolescence. The external and. internal forces which combine to foster or preclude compensation at the basic level have already been described, and. are not repeated. The discussion found in "The Basic Externalizer and Internalizer" is equally applicable here.