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Schools and Movements

Associationism

Cognitive Psychology

Associationism is the idea that mental processes operate by the association of one mental state with its successor states. It holds that all mental processes are made up of discrete psychological elements and their combinations, believed themselves to be made up of sensations or simple feelings. In philosophy, the idea is viewed as an outcome of empiricism and sensationism, encompassing a psychological theory as well as a comprehensive philosophical foundation and scientific methodology. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

Facts
Central Question
How do complex mental states and thoughts form through the combination and association of simple sensations and ideas? 1
Founded Year
1689 1
Marks John Locke's first use of the phrase association of ideas; the school itself was most prominent later, across the 18th and 19th centuries.
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Sources
1. Wikipedia: Associationism
Wikimedia Foundation
  • Introduction
    Associationism is the idea that mental processes operate by the association of one mental state with its successor states.
  • History section
    The term association of ideas was first used by John Locke in 1689
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