Iterative Association

Abstract

A method of combining free word association with the engineering principles of servomechanisms is presented. It provides a focusing and amplifying of the word association test by incorporating S into a closed delayed feedback system in which he provides both the stimulus and the response words. The system is set into motion by an external disturbance in the form of initial stimulus words provided by E. With this arrangement S continues to associate to his own responses until interrupted. His associations converge on a small number of topics in a manner which is characteristic of him and independent of the initial stimulus words. After 10 successive cycles of associating to their own responses, 25 Ss converged on 3 topics from an average of 9 of the 15 beginning stimulus words. Much affective material was introduced by Ss even in the absence of original emotional stimuli.