Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
loose-association
Noun
/luːs əˌsəʊ.siˈeɪ.ʃən/
Definition
A cognitive process in which thoughts or ideas are connected in a non-linear way, often leading to seemingly unrelated or distant connections between concepts.
Examples
- In therapy, the patient might use loose association to express thoughts that are not immediately relevant to the topic.
- During brainstorming sessions, loose association can lead to innovative ideas by connecting distant concepts.
Meaning
Loose association refers to a style of thinking where ideas are sequentially linked but may not follow typical logical or structured patterns, often resulting in a stream of thought that appears disorganized or fragmented.
Synonyms
- Free association
- Disordered thinking
- Non-linear thinking
