associationism

[ uh-soh-see-ey-shuh-niz-uhm, -shee-ey- ]

noun

1. Psychology. any of several theories that explain complex psychological phenomena as being built up from the association of simple sensations, stimuli and responses, or other behavioral or mental elements considered as primary.

associationism

/ əˌsəʊsɪˈeɪʃəˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. psychol a theory that all mental activity is based on connections between basic mental events, such as sensations and feelings

Other Words From

• as·soci·ation·ist adjective noun
• as·soci·ation·istic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of associationism¹

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40; association + -ism

Example Sentences

The opinion itself is tenable, but the defence of it, made as it is from the standpoint of the old English associationism, is unfortunately worthless.

From Project Gutenberg

By his development of the doctrine of apperception he took psychology forever beyond the old associationism which had ceased to be fruitful.

From Project Gutenberg

If the facts which cluster about attention cannot be understood by the simple scheme of associationism, the demand must be for a better physiological theory.

From Project Gutenberg

But without returning to apperceptionism we can overcome the one-sidedness of associationism if full use is made of the means which the world of phenomena offers to theory.

From Project Gutenberg

This notion that associationism leads away from the work of art as such is a perceptive comment.

From Project Gutenberg