https://ijmri.de/index.php/jmsi
volume 4, issue 4, 2025
146
ASSOCIATIVE EXPERIMENT IN LINGUISTICS
Bektursinova Aysultan Maratovna
PhD, Acting Associate Professor of the Department of Russian Language and Literature
Karakalpak State University named after Berdakh
e-mail: ayka19_94@mail.ru
Abstract:
The article is devoted to the consideration of the associative experiment as one of the
leading methods of psycholinguistics and cognitive linguistics. The methodological principles of
the experiment, its historical development and current areas of application in modern linguistics
are described. Particular attention is paid to the possibility of using associative data for the
analysis of linguistic consciousness, reconstruction of lexical-semantic fields and identification
of cultural-specific features of the linguistic picture of the world. The significance of the
associative experiment for interdisciplinary research and the creation of associative dictionaries
is shown.
Key words:
associative experiment, linguistic consciousness, lexical-semantic field, cognitive
linguistics, psycholinguistics, linguistic picture of the world, associative dictionary.
Introduction
Associative experiment is one of the most important methods of psycholinguistics, allowing to
reveal the features of linguistic consciousness of native speakers, the structure of lexical-
semantic fields, cultural and cognitive features of word perception. This method allows to look
into the deep levels of the linguistic picture of the world, reconstructing hidden connections
between words, concepts and personal or collective experience of respondents.
Purpose of the study
The purpose of this work is to describe the methodology of the associative experiment, to
identify its significance in modern linguistic research, and to analyze its applicability in the study
of lexical semantics and linguistic consciousness.
Research methods
The following methods were used in the study:
- The method of free associative experiment - respondents were offered stimuli (words), to which
they had to respond with the first association that came to mind.
- The method of quantitative-statistical analysis - for processing and interpreting the obtained
associative data.
- Comparative-contrastive analysis - was used in the analysis of differences in the associative
fields of representatives of different social, age or cultural groups.
Main part
The associative experiment has a long history, rooted in the psychology of the late 19th century.
The first attempts to use associations as a tool for studying the psyche were made by F. Galton,
and later the method was adapted for the needs of linguistics in the works of A. R. Luria and L. S.
Vygotsky [Vygotsky, 1982].
Modern linguistics considers the associative experiment not only as a psycholinguistic method,
but also as a way of modeling semantic connections in the mental lexicon. Associative fields of
words become the key to understanding the linguistic picture of the world of a certain
ethnocultural community [Sternin, 2001].
A free associative experiment consists of presenting respondents with stimulus words (usually
nouns, verbs or adjectives), to which they must respond with an associative word. Variants
https://ijmri.de/index.php/jmsi
volume 4, issue 4, 2025
147
include a directed (or chain) associative experiment, in which restrictions are imposed on the
type of response (for example, only verbs, only synonyms, etc.). The most important stage is the
interpretation of the data obtained: the types of reactions (lexical-semantic, syntactic, phonetic,
etc.), frequency of reactions, response time, the presence of individual and group differences are
recorded. For example, the word house can cause reactions such as family, comfort, roof, build,
etc., each of which carries information about the cognitive structures of the individual and
society.
The associative experiment is used in the study of national and cultural specificity of linguistic
consciousness; identification of the structures of lexical-semantic fields; study of interlingual and
intercultural differences; analysis of the linguistic picture of the world [Karasik, 2002]; creation
of associative dictionaries, such as the "Russian Associative Dictionary" [Romanov, 1994].
In particular, a comparison of the associative fields of the word water in native speakers of
Russian and English demonstrates differences in cultural connotations and figurative structures
associated with nature, everyday life and mythology.
In addition, the associative experiment is actively used in cognitive linguistics and linguacultural
studies to analyze concepts and stereotypes reflected in linguistic consciousness.
Conclusion
The associative experiment is a powerful tool of linguistic analysis that helps study linguistic
mentality, identify deep meanings assigned to lexemes, and reconstruct cognitive structures. Its
value lies in the possibility of combining individual and collective levels of linguistic
consciousness, which makes this method indispensable in interdisciplinary research at the
intersection of linguistics, psychology and cultural studies.
List of references
1. Vygotsky L. S. Thinking and speech. - M.: Pedagogy, 1982.
2. Karasik V. I. Language circle: personality, concepts, discourse. - Volgograd: Peremena,
2002.
3. Romanov A. A. Russian associative dictionary. - Yekaterinburg: Ural State University, 1994.
4. Sternin I. A. Cognitive linguistics and linguacultural studies: methods and approaches. -
Voronezh: VSU, 2001.
