Analysis of associative style from the viewpoint of conceptual distance between stimulus and response - Relationship of word association test under free-condition and the Rorschach Test

Abstract

In the field of studying associative process, two major testing methods could be utilized : Word Association Test (WAT) and the Rorschach Test. It had been held that associative processes of both tests had hardly anything in common, because of the differences between both test stimuli. The aim of this study was to detect common factors of associative process of both tests, focusing on "Conceptual Distance" between stimulus and response. WAT and the Rorschach Test were administered to 44 subjects of normal adults. Testing situation of WAT was modified, adopting "Free-Condition," in which time pressure had been removed. A new analysing method, "Associative Determinant Analysis" was used to examine WAT responses. WAT responses were finally classified Subject-bound response and Stimulus-bound response. Test results showed that Subject-bound response was closely related with the following Rorschach scores : 1) more articulated form perception ; 2) more FC responses ; 3) introversive experience type, and 4) higher creativity. Stimulus-bound type of response was found to be nearly contrary. Thus, Subject-bound response was characterized by a greater conceptual distance on the one hand, and Stimulus-bound response by less conceptual distance on the other.