Effects of impulsivity, introversion, and individual values upon association under free conditions1

Abstract

The standard word-association test has, in general, been disappointing as a diagnostic tool Despite its sensitivity to S3miptoms of emotional maladjustment, it has failed to provide measures of other important aspects of the personahty Since modern clinical and experimental evidence indicates that temperament, attitudes, and values do influence associative processes, it seems plausible to suspect that the special conditions imposed in the standard test are responsible for Its failure to reflect these basic aspects of the personality Recently Siipola, Walker, and Kolb (7) described a modified technique of word association which approximates the degree of freedom provided in other projective tests Through the device of relaxing time pressure and giving vS" freedom to choose any type of associate, this new technique produced a fundamental change in the character of the whole associative process Instead of mechanically giving prompt, impersonal associations related to his immediate impression of the stimulus, the 6" usually delayed, experienced rich imagery, and actively searched for the associate which seemed most satisfying to him personally The authors labelled the unique character of the associative process under free conditions as "subjectbound," and contrasted it with the "stimulus-bound" type of process characteristic of association under time pressureThe present study is based upon the assumption that such aspects of the personality as temperament, attitudes, and values are more likely to show a strong influence on associative processes under conditions sufficiently free from external restraints to allow the 5" to choose freely among widely varying interpretations of the task * This study is based upon Honors theses siAmitted by Joan Bhss (Part I) and Sandra Dunn (Part II)

Association Test Antonym‐response Set1

“…It has been found that associations are influenced by such things as past experience (Foley & l/lacIvIillan,19~·3), internal states (WisP~, 1954), and personality factors (Dunn, Bliss, & Siipola, 1958). This study has shown , in addi.t.Lon , that associations are influenced by the order of test items: certain sequences of items may induce a t.endency in 5s to avoid variation in the relationship between the response word and the stimulus word.…”

Word Association as a Function of Biodata Subgrouping.

“…Viewing the experimental hypotheses in light of the results (see Table 1), the cultural-literary interest dimension, advanced by Jenkins (1960), and the inhibitionimpulsivity reference variable, advanced by Dunn et al (1958), are both important in the development of verbal behavior.…”

Word Association: Variables Affecting Popular‐response Frequency1

“…Carroll, Kje1dergaard, and Carton (1962) It has already been found that free-association responses are influenced by such things as past experience (Foley & MacMillan, 1943), internal states (wisp6, 1954, personality (Dunn, Bliss, & Siipola, 1958), self-instructions (Moran et al, 1964), and order of stimulus words (Wynne et al, 1965). given popular responses in a previous session, it seems likely that giving such responses again would simplify the~IS task since these responses should have relatively high associative strength.…”