---
title: "Free Association — AP Psychology Definition & Exam Guide"
description: "Free association is Freud's psychoanalytic technique of saying whatever comes to mind to reveal the unconscious. Key for AP Psych Units 7-8 personality and treatment questions."
canonical: "https://fiveable.me/ap-psych-revised/key-terms/free-association"
type: "key-term"
subject: "AP Psychology"
---

# Free Association — AP Psychology Definition & Exam Guide

## Definition

Free association is a method used in psychoanalysis where patients are encouraged to share whatever comes into their mind, regardless of how irrelevant or nonsensical it may seem. This technique aims to uncover hidden thoughts and feelings that might be causing psychological distress.

## Related Study Guides

- [7.5 Introduction to Personality](/ap-psych-revised/unit-7/intro-personality/study-guide/YTdLtADkvlrs69VunWjD)
- [8.8 Psychological Perspectives and Treatment of Disorders](/ap-psych-revised/unit-8/psychological-perspectives-treatment-disorders/study-guide/anATyQ6k5vzwx0d5Zjhl)
- [7.6 Psychoanalytic Theories of Personality](/ap-psych-revised/unit-7/psychoanalytic-theories-personality/study-guide/xObsdpPvH8P0SWshGbbp)

## Review

### Related Terms

- Stream of Consciousness: This term refers to a person's thoughts and conscious reactions to events, perceived as a continuous flow. It's like the ongoing traffic on our mental highway.
- [Unconscious Mind](/ap-psych-revised/key-terms/unconscious-mind): This is a reservoir of feelings, thoughts, urges, and memories that are outside of our conscious awareness. It's like an iceberg - we only see the tip (conscious mind), but there's much more beneath the surface (unconscious mind).
- [Repression](/ap-psych-revised/key-terms/repression): This is an unconscious mechanism employed by the ego to keep disturbing or threatening thoughts from becoming conscious. It’s like having an automatic trash bin for unwanted files in your computer system.