Exercises for associative imaginative thinking. Association. Associative links and chains. Test your knowledge

Memory training
> How to memorize a list of words

In life, we are often faced with the task of remembering a list, for example, a list of things to do, necessary purchases, things that need to be taken on the road, etc. Everyone has probably come across such lists, and there is not always a desire, time and opportunity to write down this list.

Often we just think about such lists (on the way, before going to bed), saying: "How not to forget ..." In addition, a person of each specialty may need to memorize some special lists. Moreover, it is often important to remember not only the elements of the list, but also their sequence. Here are several ways to do this.

Sequential association method (chaining associations)

The method of successive associations consists in sequentially linking the words of the list together. In this case, each subsequent word is associated with the previous one in the same way as if it were just a couple of words. And for good result compliance with all four of the above rules is simply necessary.

As a result, you should have a plot (or story, or a chain of associations) from all the words on the list. You will learn more about the nuances of plotting from the example. Example: Here are 12 randomly chosen words, we will connect them using the method of successive associations: CUCUMBER, BOAT, COMAR, ENVELOPE, TRACK, BOOK, RICE, FOUNTAIN, HEADLIGHTS, BEAR, TELEPHONE, FLOWERS.

So, in order to memorize these 12 words in order, avoiding monotonous repetition, you need to make a story out of them, linking words sequentially with each other, using the method of associations and not forgetting about all 4 rules. See how you can do it.

I imagine cutting CUCUMBER along, and it turns out A BOAT... The boat sails and collides at full speed with KOMAROM... A mosquito from fear climbs into ENVELOPE... The envelope flies away and, when rolled up, turns into TRACK... The caterpillar crawls, bumps into BOOK and crawls into it. In the book, instead of letters - RICE... It begins to swell and hits from there like THE FOUNTAIN... The splashes of this rice fountain close up Headlights a passing car. The headlights fly apart into small pieces, and one of them is very similar in shape to BEAR... It turns into a real one before my eyes ... Now finish this story yourself. It remains for you to associate the words "phone" and "flowers" with the previous ones. At the same time, try to mentally visualize the story like a movie.

note that each word is linked directly to the previous one, strictly in order. Each element of the plot becomes for some time the main character and performs some action on its own. If you do not follow this rule, for example, say that "a caterpillar crawled into a book and began to eat rice ...", then the word "book" may eventually be forgotten, and only the caterpillar that ate rice will remain in memory.

The word "book" will act in this case only as an addition that does not carry out an independent action, which can cause it to be forgotten. Pay attention also to the fact that the plot should have as few "unnecessary" words as possible that can get confused with memorized ones.

Try to use neutral words in the story as auxiliary words that do not evoke vivid images. Now, without looking at the book, reproduce all 12 words. You can reproduce them in writing, you can orally, as you prefer.

*** Exercise 4.

If you have a desire, you can try to make a chain of associations (plot) completely yourself. Here are 15 words that, after memorization, must be reproduced in a given order. MAP, BIRD, JOURNAL, SHAMPOO, WALNUT, CROCODILE, CLOUD, BANANA, GLASS, TENT, KEY, CLUB, SPOON, WORM, SOCKS.

Those who want to seriously engage in the development of their memory should properly work out the method of sequential associations (to work out means to achieve an error-free reproduction of a chain of words after a single presentation of it) and look at the Application, where there are a few more rows of words to memorize.

If you followed all the rules for plotting, then it will not be a problem for you to reproduce the words from Exercise No. 4, not only in direct, but also in reverse order... Try to let a person who is not familiar with the association method remember these words, and by comparing your own and his result, you will see that your memory has already become a little better, that the association method is quite effective and that you now have a chance to memorize a list of 15 ( and more) names when you need it.

Association is a connection in memory, when, after one, another appears in a person's head without justification.

Domestic bird? - Hen! Poet? - Pushkin!

Open the dictionary in a random place and point your finger at a random word. Read it. Now name a few other words that come to mind when you say the first word. For example: "white" -> "snow", "white" -> "day", "white" -> "light"; "black" -> "soot", "black" -> "crow"; "tank" -> "armor", "tank" -> "cannon". Etc. This pair of words is called an association. If you take the second word in a pair and come up with an association to it, then a chain of three words and two associations will arise.

Thus, you can build arbitrarily long chains.

Why and how associations form themselves

Associations appear most often by contiguity in space and time: when talking about poultry, the chicken is most often mentioned - we remember that. Forks are often placed next to the spoons on the table - hence the frequent associative connection "spoon-fork". And the "spoon" and the "thermonuclear collider" are neither spatially nor temporarily connected in our experience, and such an association is atypical. Associations by similarity (blue-blue) and by contrast (black-white) are a special case.

When do we associate something with something, and when not? The most common factor is impression and novelty. The brighter and stronger something made an impression on us, the sooner we will not only remember it, but will be remembered in connection with everything that surrounded it: where, with whom, when, how ... Similarly, faster and brighter associations arise in connection with something new, which attracted attention due to the effect of novelty.

In addition to the effect of novelty, the formation of associations is influenced by the effect of repetition. If this girl usually smiles, she will be called the Sun more often. Smile more often!

Much is also determined by the focus of the person's attention. Girls have girlish associations, boys have boyish associations, adults have adults, sexually charged young people have predominantly sexual associations. "What do you think, looking at a brick? - About girls. - And why? How are bricks and girls connected? - And I always think about them ..."

The physiological mechanism for the formation of most associations is most likely combination reflexes as understood by V.M. Ankylosing spondylitis. However, the emergence of most associations can be explained as conditioned reflexes according to I.P. Pavlov, and the concept "", which is more often used in behaviorism.

The use of associations in practical psychology

The method of free (in Jung's - directed) associations has been actively used and is being used in psychoanalysis.

In projective tests, people are presented with a picture with an unclear content, and by the nature of the prevailing associative connections, one can draw a conclusion about a person's characteristic way of perception and thinking, about his feelings, needs and interests.

In 1936, Milton Erickson wrote an article in which he outlined the results of his experiment with the verbal test, the essence of which is that a person gives an associative connection to a word with the words that describe it. For example, the subject gave the following words to the stimulus word "belly": big, anxiety, baby, fear, operation, illness, forgotten. And this was information about her unwanted pregnancy that she did not remember.

Managed associations

Creative people can create their own creative associations by finding interesting and memorable associations. Managed associations are associations that we create ourselves and that we ourselves can correct or erase. By creating controlled associations, you and I can control our attention and memory.

If you want to remember what you need today when leaving the house, imagine vividly how you see the hallway and immediately remember: "Umbrella!"

And if you heard a good anecdote, immediately consider in what company and setting it will be appropriate, and immediately create a picture for yourself that you are telling this anecdote with these people in such an environment. With a high probability, you are in that situation - remember.

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Successive association method (chaining)

The method of successive associations consists in the sequential linking of words one after another into a single plot. The images are connected in pairs into the plot, and the main thing is not to jump over the word, but to connect them one by one, as if connecting a chain. When you have formed a connection between the first and the second image, the first image is removed from consciousness by transferring attention to the second. After this, a relationship is formed between the second and third image, etc.

Your picture, which you have compiled from the links of the chain, must be non-standard, original, exciting - this is one of mandatory conditions... Each item in the chain of words should play a major role in your story, it does not fit in minor roles.

For example, you need to remember the sequence: rosary-cover-chacha-cheburek-bowl-watch-dude-cherry-plane tree-pure water-freak-check-quarter.

Your plot may not be entirely logical, with elements of fiction, but too strong a shift towards one or the other can play a cruel joke and spoil the quality of the plot.

The unremarkable woman took an amber rosary from the table and placed it in a red case. From the drawer, she took out an open bottle chachi(smell the characteristic smell and see the color of the liquid in the bottle). Took from the refrigerator cheburek. Put it on the table bowl... Took scales, to weigh the stream of water. Invited dude raise a raccoon at home. Shoved into a bottle cherries... Under plane tree, near which there was a ditch with clean water, put the bed. Freak in different shoes (imagine one shoe with a long yellow nose, and the other high shoe with an open blue nose), opening her mouth and looking at earthworm. Receipt from the store flew in the air and shimmered with all the colors of the rainbow. Quarter a watermelon was used as a boomerang by a group of young people (imagine how you launch a part of a watermelon and how juice splashes out of it, how it flies back, turning over and circling in the air).

Feel that the list that you memorized using the chaining method can be easily reproduced from beginning to end, and also not be difficult through one word, through two words. The information will be assimilated much better if you memorized all the links in the chain.

We must also remember that the associations and connections that you personally invented are much better than those taken from the outside, even if they are bright, imaginative and beautiful. But it will be the fruit of someone else's thought, which you will have to remember.

You can practice on special exercises and evaluate your mistakes. Analyze the patterns of errors, what they may be associated with. Find out which associative connections help your memory, and which ones should be discarded, since they do not bring much benefit and are not effective.

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The purpose

This technique will help in the development of original ideas, unexpected solutions to the problem. Designed for uncertain situations in which all possible solutions to the problem are not clear .

The technique also contributes to the general intellectual liberation, develops the ability to original solutions.

The technique can be used both for self-training and in a group program. psychological training... Can be used in trainings of creativity, self-management, personal growth and others.

Write down the question that torments you on a piece of paper, or put the whole problem on paper as it is. Writing down on paper helps to concretize the question, focus on important circumstances. Over time, when you master the technique, you don't have to write out the question, limiting yourself to clearly pronouncing it aloud or to yourself.

The question should be open, that is, assume an unlimited or very large number of answers to it. Examples of open-ended questions: "What should I call a new article?", "What to cook for dinner?", "How can I get respect at work?" Examples of closed-ended questions (how NOT necessary): "Should I use the word" marketing "in the title of the article or not?", "Can I make dumplings?", "Do I need to improve my qualifications?"

Set the leaf aside, turn it over. Slightly disperse your attention, as if trying to capture everything that you see around you. Did something catch your attention? Good. The name of this item will be the first link in a chain of associations. Don't be afraid to make the mistake of choosing your subject. It doesn't matter at all what kind of object comes across.

Say the name of the item aloud. If you don't want to draw attention to yourself, mumble or whisper. Sooner or later, an association will come to your mind: that something is happening with this object, or that the object itself is the source of some action. Speak aloud the description of this action. Note that this is not an object association, but an action association. It is important. In this technique, the word "cucumber" cannot be given the association "tomato", but you can give an association like "The cucumber grows in the garden."

The next stage, as it is not difficult to guess, will be the development of the association-action of the association-object. After uttering the description of some action, wait for the arrival of the association-object. An object can be any object, a person (fictional or real), and some place, etc. In principle, an object can also be some kind of phenomenon, some kind of standard process, called one or two words. By and large, the difference between the association-object and the association-action is that the first consists simply of naming something ("Cucumber", "Lecture"), and the second is a complete sentence, with a subject and a predicate ("Cucumber grows in the garden "," The lecture is held in the audience ").

Further, the association-action is given to the association-object, and so on. This continues until you get the feeling that some important idea has ripened. Try to unfold this idea neatly, not accidentally forgetting an important thought. Take a piece of paper with a question, try to answer the question exhaustively.

You will get better and better over time. You can even use this technique to remember some important but forgotten information. The technique should not be used very often. If you generate a chain of associations the second time in a day, their quality may suffer, because the previous chain may induce similar, patterned associations.

In reality, the chains of associations can be much longer than in the following examples.

Examples of

The problem "What should I name the new article?"

Stapler ...

A stapler is used to staple the papers ...

Paper...

Paper was invented, it seems, in China ...

China...

There are many Chinese people who eat rice ...

Nutrition...

The computer has a power supply ...

There was a poet Blok ...

There was such a Silver Age ...

Silver...

Silver and gold are precious metals ...

Jewelry...

Yeah ... Maybe something like "Precious customer ..."

The problem "What to cook for dinner?"

Stapler ...

The stapler is in the stand ...

Stand...

There are coasters for coffee cups ...

Coffee...

You need coffee to invigorate ...

Cheerfulness ...

The word "cheerfulness" is similar to "kindness"

Kindness ...

There is no word for "kindness"

Russian language...

Tongue ... Should I prepare my tongue?

The problem "How do I get respect at work?"

Associative thinking is a type of thinking based on the connection of one concept to another (association). Every person possesses this kind of thinking and constantly uses it in everyday life. For example, the word "sand" can evoke in a person the memories of a sea beach, sun, hot weather. And with the word "tangerine" in my head, thoughts immediately arise about the New Year's holidays, a decorated Christmas tree. These memories are called associations. It is noteworthy that each person's associations are individual and depend on personal experience.

Associations are the connections that arise between individual objects, phenomena, events and facts that are in the memory of a person.

Psychologists have divided associations into several types:

by similarity: gas stove - electric oven - microwave oven ;
by contrast (opposite concepts): day - night, frost - heat, sky - earth;
by the ratio of part and whole: book - page, hand - finger;
by causal relationship: thunder - lightning;
to summarize: apple - fruit, chair - furniture, sweater - clothes;
by subordination: carrots are a vegetable, a wolf is a beast.
by contiguity in time or space: summer - heat, wardrobe - chest of drawers.

Associations can also be divided into the following types:

Thematic... Here, the items are related to each other by the same theme ( disease is a medicine ).
Phonetic... The names of objects or phenomena are consonant with each other ( guest - nail, house - scrap ).
Word-building... Such associations are cognate words ( beauty is beautiful, fear is terrible ).

Associative links are useful for a variety of tasks. Associations can be not only verbal, but also in the form of visual images, sounds, smells, tactile sensations. Depending on which representational system more developed in a person (visual, auditory, kinesthetic), such associations will be more characteristic of him.

Each person uses different methods to memorize. One person needs to say new information out loud several times, another needs to write it down on paper, the third one needs to read it, and then mentally present the read text before his eyes.

Every mentally healthy person can create associations. However, there are people who suffer from the so-called associative disorder. It is a mental illness in which the process of building associations is disrupted.

What is the use of associative thinking?

You can recall many cases when certain associations helped to make a scientific discovery or create a new invention. For example, an engineer specializing in the construction of bridges - Brown - one day, sitting under a bush, saw a spider web, and this pushed him to invent a suspension bridge that is attached to cables. Scotsman Dunlon came up with rubber tires after seeing a spring hose. When scientists tried to understand the place of subatomic particles in the atom, the physicist from Japan H. Nagaoka was born an association with the solar system.

Developed associative thinking can be very helpful. It helps in generating new ideas and stimulates the development of the imagination. Associative thinking helps to improve the process of remembering new things. The author of the book "Super Memory" Tony Buzan suggested using for quick memorization information associative method. In order to fix a new concept in memory, it is necessary to correlate it with an already familiar concept, that is, to draw an association between them. Memory is arranged in such a way that the facts connected with each other are much easier to remember. For example, to quickly memorize a new, unfamiliar or foreign word you need to pick up to it another, similar in sound. Thus, a person binds new knowledge to those that already exist in his arsenal. This is how associative memory works.

Associative thinking contributes to the development of memory and participates in the process of generating ideas. This is useful not only for people of art, but also for those who want to make their life better, because creativity is the basis of human existence and the development of an individual and society as a whole.

Development of associative thinking

Associative thinking is the foundation creative process so it is very useful to develop it. As a rule, this kind of thinking is well developed in children. Children love to play with words, creating unusual associations. The development of this type of thinking in childhood helps to intensify Creative skills child. Adults can also develop associative creative thinking with the help of special exercises.

Associative Thinking Test

Before starting the development of thinking, it is recommended to go through a small psychological test allowing you to see your own hidden problems and try to find their roots in your subconscious. Prepare a pen and a piece of paper for the test. So let's get started.

Write down any 16 words that come to your mind first. To make things easier, below is a list of letters that should start words. This will be your first 16-word associative series. Then take the words in pairs and write down the association that arose from each pair of words. You will receive your second associative series, which already consists of 8 words. Again, take the words in pairs and come up with an association for each pair. You get an associative array of 4 words. The next row will already consist of 2 words. Find an association for the last pair of words. This is the most important association as it came out of your subconscious mind.

List of letters starting with the words of the first associative row: T, D, B, M, G, A, J, O, K, R, V, N, Z, P, L, S.

This test was used by the founder of psychoanalysis Sigmund Freud and his followers in their work with patients. A chain of uncontrolled, random associations helps to look into the subconscious of a person and understand the root of his problems. While completing the assignment, it is important not to think for a long time, looking for the most suitable association, but to say what first comes to mind.

Development exercises associative thinking

The exercises are very simple and you can do them any time you want. They not only train thinking, but also contribute to the development of speech, expanding vocabulary... Exercises can act as a kind of game that you can play during a work break, on a walk, or in the evening before bed.

Exercise 1. Come up with the first word that will be the beginning of the chain of associations. Now select the following words for it, continuing the chain. For example: cat - coat - softness - smoothness, etc.

Exercise 2. Come up with two unrelated words. The first will be the beginning of the chain, and the second will be its end. Your task is to build an associative chain that connects the first and last words. For example: original words - dog and car ... Let's make a chain: dog - barking - passerby - sidewalk - road - car .

Exercise 3. Come up with two or three source words, and then pick up associations for them that have a connection with the original ones by any sign or by several signs. For example: original words - bright and hot ... Associations: light, food, oven, color.

Exercise 4. Come up with two or three words and find words for them that are associated with all of them at the same time. For example: Source words - white and cold ... We select associations: snow, ice cream, stone, metal.

Exercise 5. Come up with the first word, and then try to find an unusual association for it that is not directly related to the original word. For example: envelope ... The first association that usually comes to mind is letter ... But you need something unusual. What else can you use an envelope for? For example, for storing seeds. So the association is the seeds .

Group exercise

The next two exercises can be done in a group. The number of participants can be any. The most convenient way to record words is to use a dictaphone. Before starting the exercise, you need to choose a leader who will set the first word in the chain, and also follow the process.

Exercise 1. The presenter calls the first word. Then all the participants take turns coming up with associations for each subsequent word, making a chain. Words must be related in meaning, that is, they must have a direct association. Example: house - building - brick - factory - production.

Exercise 2. This exercise is similar to the previous one, only now the participants must choose not a direct, but an indirect association to the original word, that is, the one that arises in his head. Example: house - money - restaurant - sea - win.

After all participants have named their associations, it is necessary to conduct an analysis and exchange of views. Each participant must explain why he named this particular association. For example, the first participant associates the word “house” with the money for which it was bought, so he calls the word “money”. For the second participant, the word "money" evokes memories of an expensive restaurant. The third participant may recall a restaurant he visited during his vacation at the sea. The fourth participant, hearing the word "sea", thought about a ticket that one of his acquaintances had won in the lottery, so he called the word "win".

During such trainings, each of the participants gets the opportunity to look into their own subconscious and better understand themselves and their fears, emotions, experiences.

Thus, the training of associative thinking has a positive effect on the development of imagination, helps to improve memory, intensify the process of creative search and improve the quality of life.