associationism

American  

[uh-soh-see-ey-shuh-niz-uhm, -shee-ey-] / əˌsoʊ siˈeɪ ʃəˌnɪz əm, -ʃiˈeɪ- /

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.

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associationism British  

/ əˌsəʊsɪˈeɪʃəˌnɪzəm /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• associationist adjective
• associationistic adjective

Etymology

Origin of associationism

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

The whole theory of physiological associationism works evidently with two factors.

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