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Outline two assumptions of the Psychodynamic approach [4]

The first assumption is that our behaviour is driven by the unconscious mind, so we are unaware of what motivates most of our behaviour. For example, a smoker may think that they smoke because they are trying to fit in or they are nervous, but the true reason is that they have an oral fixation.

The second assumption is the importance of early childhood relationships to psychological health in adulthood. How successfully conflicts (e.g. Oedipus complex) are resolved depends on the relationships that we have with our parents. Furthermore, the relationships that we have with our parents are the basis for further relationships.