associationism

as·so·ci·a·tion·ism

 (ə-sō′sē-ā′shə-nĭz′əm, ə-sō′shē-)

n.

The psychological theory that association is the basic principle of all mental activity.

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as·so′ci·a′tion·ist adj. & n.

as·so′ci·a′tion·is′tic adj.

associationism

(əˌsəʊsɪˈeɪʃəˌnɪzəm)

n

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

as•so•ci•a•tion•ism

(əˌsoʊ siˈeɪ ʃəˌnɪz əm, -ʃiˈeɪ-)

n.

any theory that explains complex psychological phenomena as built up from combinations of simple sensory and behavioral elements.

[1830–40]

as•so`ci•a′tion•ist, adj., n.

as•so`ci•a`tion•is′tic, adj.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

associationism - (psychology) a theory that association is the basic principle of mental activity association theory scientific theory - a theory that explains scientific observations; "scientific theories must be falsifiable" psychological science, psychology - the science of mental life