History of the association method Francis Galton was the first psychologist to use the free association method. He tested this technique on himself. Galton chose 75 words. He wrote each of them on a separate card. Then he took one card and, looking at it, wrote down all the thoughts and emotions that arose. Source wordassociations.net Thus, the author of the method came to the conclusion that all associations accurately reflect the essence of human thoughts.
The word “association” comes from
Latin term “connection”. In psychology, it means a spontaneous connection between different objects or phenomena from reality and imagination. These connections qatar phone number library arise under the influence of words, smells, sounds and other factors. The main popularizer of the free association method was Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis.
He actively used this technique in his practice for many years
Freud argued that the human psyche is divided into the working as a team is “easy” – plan, communicate and execute (repeat) conscious and the unconscious. Working with the conscious level often leads to logical but superficial answers. The unconscious contains deep problems that people are not even aware of. The free association method removes all these restrictions. During the associative experiment, a person does not analyze or filter his words. This gives the specialist access to hidden and important layers of his mental characteristics.
Thus, the psychologist can more
Understand and analyze the patient’s subconscious problems. How does the association method work? Let us take a closer look at how a psychoanalyst cg leads works with a patient using the free association method. A person comes to a psychoanalyst with a specific request or problem. The psychoanalyst suggests starting the session with free association. He asks the patient to get comfortable and relax. The main goal of the method is to bring out all the patient’s thoughts.
Therefore, the specialist asks him to say
Everything that comes to mind, without restrictions and self-censorship. The patient begins to express his thoughts, feelings, memories. Even if the thought seems insignificant or inappropriate, he voices it anyway. He does not interrupt the patient or ask clarifying questions, does not try to direct the person’s thoughts in a certain direction. Any limitation violates the essence of the method. During the process of associations, the specialist pays attention to recurring themes or unusual moments.