Contents
We are glad to welcome you, dear readers of Valery Kharlamov’s blog! Associative thinking is a rather important cognitive process that occurs with the help of images that arise on any stimulus. And today we will consider the most effective and interesting methods that will help develop it.
Some general information
Each person has completely different associations for one word, event. This happens because of the life experience that is behind them. For example, at the word «sun» someone can smile joyfully, remembering the happiest day when the sun shone brightly and it was warm. And someone, on the contrary, will frown, remembering how he received burns in the summer, in addition to sunstroke due to the fact that he fell asleep on the beach.
And also due to the difference in the leading representative system. Let me briefly remind you that there are auditory people, it is easier for them to memorize and perceive information by ear. Kinesthetics, they do it with the help of sensations, touches. Visuals rely on their vision, it is important for them to see, only then they will be able to notice and remember something. As well as a rare type of digitalals, they combined all the features of the representative system, taking a little bit from each type.
So, we build associations depending on which organs of perception we use to cognize this world, to exist in it. Let’s say that in order to learn a phone number, you just need to say it out loud several times. But another person will not be able to reproduce it until he writes it out on a sheet, or imagines each number in his head.
What’s the use?
This kind of thinking is necessary for us to solve problems, both life and work. And if you develop it, you will expect pleasant bonuses. For example:
- Improved imagination. Accordingly, you will be able to generate creative ideas, it will be easier for you to meditate and, in general, to be creative.
- Strengthening memory. You will better memorize the material, since with the help of the created associative series it is quite difficult to forget something.
- Productivity increase. Given the fact that your cognitive processes will become better, you will be able to do work faster and better.
- Stimulation of the brain. When forming an associative series, the brain is included in the work, forming new neural connections.
- Facilitate perception. It will be easier to perceive new information, adapt to changes.
- Personality research. Even Sigmund Freud, a well-known psychoanalyst, used associations to study what is in the human subconscious. In general, you will receive information about yourself, which, most likely, will help change the quality of life, find answers to important questions and solve complex life problems, and unleash your creative potential.
Many inventions have been created through associations. For example, Georges de Mestral came up with Velcro fasteners, having once seen burdock thorns under a microscope. He constantly removed them from the coat of his beloved dog after walks. Seeing how interesting the hooks of this plant are, he had the idea to create such a valuable piece of clothing, shoes, and accessories.
Types
- Thematic. That is, it is necessary to find a connection between objects in the same topic (a child is a diaper; pain is a pill).
- Phonetic. When the words match. Usually we use this method when we are trying to write a poem, choosing a rhyme (salt — mole, Sasha — Masha).
- Word-building. In this case, words with the same root are selected (horror — terrible, strength — strong).
Types
They are distinguished by:
- similarities: sleds — skis — snowboard.
- contrast: white — black, boy — girl.
- the ratio of the whole and its part: a finger — a nail, a phone — a screen.
- causal relationship: clouds — rain, fire — fire.
- generalization: shoes — shoes, earrings — decoration.
- subordination: watermelon — berry, maple — tree.
- adjacency of space or time: winter — cold, newspaper — magazine.
- addition: butter — salad, soup — bread.
Development Exercises
Bank Game
Imagine a jar and try to name the items that can fit in it. To diversify the task, come up with some specific topic. Because, let’s say, the witch’s jar will contain completely different things that a small child or a girl wandering through the forest in search of treasures and finds would put.
Connect fantasy and friends, children. A joint, and even developing game will cheer you up and help you have an interesting time, get closer.
In principle, you can replace the jar with a wallet, handbag, piggy bank or even a closet to simplify the task.
Music
Think of someone you know and name a song that you think describes their personality, actions, lifestyle, etc. In general, whatever comes to mind. And try to explain to yourself why. This technique, by the way, will help develop awareness.
And you can also wake up every morning to come up with what kind of style in music characterizes him.
Turn on the radio or some song whose video you haven’t seen yet, close your eyes and watch the images that come up.
Logical and non-logical chain
Take two words that are completely unrelated to each other by any characteristics, and try to build a logical chain between them.
And you can also take any word, turn on the timer and for five minutes fix the thoughts that come to mind in connection with it. Then try to find an explanation for each of them.
Online simulators
For the development of thinking and flexibility of the mind, there are various simulators on the Internet. For example, the Wikium simulator Convenience lies in the fact that you can go through various tasks and exercises, in any place convenient for you, for this, you will only need access to the Internet.
Brainstorm
Write down on a sheet of paper all the words that come to mind at the moment. You will think about their meaning later. There is no right or wrong, you just put all your thoughts on paper.
After you have finished, re-read the resulting list. What do you think about each of its points?
Not all information is in our minds, so there may be words that will confuse you. This is what lurks in the bowels of the subconscious that you do not notice or deliberately try to ignore. Try to figure out why and why you got what you got.
You can read more about brainstorming in previous articles.
Alphabet
Write on the sheet all the letters of the alphabet, only in a row, vertically. Then, in front of each letter, write a few words that begin with it. And even if they are completely unrelated to each other, you need to come up with one common characteristic. For example, watermelon and shark — water. Because a watermelon is a berry that contains a lot of liquid, and a shark swims in the sea or ocean.
History
You can complete this task on your own or with a group of friends to have fun. By the way, it is extremely useful for children, since the process of inventing a story or a fairy tale develops not only their thinking, but also reveals their creative abilities, increases their vocabulary.
Choose at random from any book 10 words that will catch your eye. And without breaking the sequence, try to come up with a story. Believe me, it will give you a lot of pleasure if you allow yourself to relax and try on the role of a writer.
Drudles
Drudles are riddles, the answers of which are encrypted in the drawings. They are similar to ordinary scribbles or diagrams that a person depicts unconsciously. For example, while talking on the phone or a boring lecture at the university. You can search for ready-made drudles on the Internet, or you can create incomprehensible drawings yourself. Then, of course, trying to decipher them and come up with what they remind you of.
Smart cards
Minmapping is one of the methods of planning and structuring one’s activities and life in general. It consists in the fact that a person is trying to schematically depict the information he needs on a sheet or in a program. For example, he prepares a report, a project, tries to find a solution to a problem that has arisen, or indicates the necessary material for memorization.
Work on yourself
Due to associations, a person forms an attitude towards something, someone, which sometimes interferes with life. Now, if a child in childhood often heard from parents that money is evil, and one who earns a lot must steal or be a criminal, a bad person.
Then, growing up, it is unlikely that he will become successful and financially secure. The image of a rich person is too negative, and who wants to appear in the eyes of their parents as a criminal who is not worthy of respect or love?
Therefore, in addition to developing this type of thinking, you can also work on your own attitudes that interfere and prevent you from achieving what you want.
Think about the person or event with which you have unpleasant sensations, feelings. List each one and be sure to explain why. When you cope with this task, write at least 7 associations, only those that evoke pleasant emotions.
It’s not easy, but it’s doable. After all, every shortcoming can be found a resource. You just need to try and want to change.
Walk with a friend
Walking in the park or even getting somewhere, you can have fun and useful time with your loved one. Come up with the first word, and name the rest in turn, which arose as an association. If any connection is not clear to you, clarify and continue the game.
Completion
Engage in self-development, because it will provide you with a future that is happy and successful. For example, it would be useful to pay attention to the development of non-standard thinking.
At the very least, it will help to notice the obvious, inaccessible to understanding due to existing stereotypes and personal limitations. And this skill, by the way, allowed many individuals to make brilliant discoveries. So keep going and you’ll be fine!
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The material was prepared by a psychologist, Gestalt therapist, Zhuravina Alina