Definition

A theory in psychology and philosophy that suggests all mental activities are based on the connections or associations between ideas and sensations.

Example

Associationism explains how we learn by connecting new information to what we already know.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of associationism in psychology?

Yeah, I think it's about how we connect different ideas, right?

Exactly! It's interesting how our minds link things together.

For sure, it really explains a lot about how we learn and remember.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Associationism → It is formed from "associatio" (from Latin, meaning a joining together) and "-ism" (a suffix used to denote a practice or philosophy). The term describes a philosophical theory that emphasizes the connection or association between ideas and experiences.

Memory Tip

Think of 'joining together' ('associatio') to remember that 'associationism' is about the connections between ideas.

Visually Confused Words