the assumption, made esp by Freud, that mental processes do not occur by chance but that a cause can always be found for them
psychic determinism in American English
noun
the theory that all aspects of a person's psychological makeup arise from specific causes or forces, as previous experiences or instinctual drives, which may be conscious or unconscious
Word origin
[1875–80]This word is first recorded in the period 1875–80. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: graph, massage, pressure point, weekend, weekender