formation of relationship

• using the "childhood experiences" assumption of the psychodynamic approach, the formation of romantic relationships can be explained through the progression through the psychosexual stages of development.
• according to Freud, if a child successfully progresses through each stage ending at the genital stage, this will lead to an individual with a well-developed adult personality who will go on to form a heterosexual romantic relationship.

  however, any fixations make this difficult.
• for example, if a child is fixated at the oral stage of development and is overindulged, this could results in an unhealthy dependence on others in adulthood.
• if this is the case, this adult could become "needy," in a relationship and seek constant reassurance.