FREE ASSOCIATION Meaning and
Definition
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"Free association" refers to a psychological technique in which a person spontaneously expresses their thoughts, emotions, and ideas without any form of censorship, judgment, or logical connection. This method is specifically employed in psychoanalysis, a therapeutic approach developed by Sigmund Freud, to explore and understand the unconscious mind. By allowing individuals to speak freely and without inhibition, psychologists aim to uncover deeply buried memories, emotions, and desires that may be influencing their conscious thoughts and behaviors.
In free association, the individual is encouraged to speak about whatever comes to their mind, no matter how trivial, strange, or irrational it may initially seem. The process often involves the therapist presenting a seemingly harmless, ambiguous word or concept, known as a "stimulus," and the patient responding spontaneously with all the ideas and associations that come to their mind. The intention is to bypass conscious defenses and access the deeper realms of the psyche.
The therapist’s role in free association is to listen attentively and allow the patient to explore their stream of consciousness without interruption or interpretation. Psychoanalysts believe that this unfiltered verbal expression can lead to the discovery of repressed thoughts or unresolved conflicts, which may ultimately bring about emotional release and psychological healing. Through the extended application of free association over multiple sessions, patients may gain insight into the root causes of their psychological distress and develop a greater understanding of themselves.
Common Misspellings for FREE ASSOCIATION
- dree association
- cree association
- vree association
- gree association
- tree association
- rree association
- feee association
- fdee association
- ffee association
- ftee association
- f5ee association
- f4ee association
- frwe association
- frse association
- frde association
- frre association
- fr4e association
- fr3e association
- frew association
Etymology of FREE ASSOCIATION
The term "free association" originated in the field of psychoanalysis and was coined by the famous neurologist and psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud. The word "free" refers to the concept of not being bound or restricted, while "association" refers to the process of linking or connecting thoughts, ideas, or memories.
Freud introduced the method of free association as a part of his therapeutic technique, where the patients were encouraged to speak their thoughts without censorship or analytical filtering. This technique aimed to access the unconscious mind and reveal repressed or hidden thoughts, feelings, fantasies, and memories.
The word's etymology is derived from Latin and Old French. The Latin word "frēna" means "rein", which implies control or restraint. In the Old French language, "frener" and "frein" meant "to restrain".
Similar spelling words for FREE ASSOCIATION
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