Free Association

Quick
Unstructured
Student Response

Overview: Students simply say any words they think of when they hear a particular term.

Procedure: Announce it is “free-association” time. Call out a term – the target-and ask students to take turns as
a class, partners, or small group, saying any word they think of that is related to the target term. After a few
seconds, say “STOP.” The last person to say a word must explain how that word is related to the target.

Example:
Target Term: Requirements for life
Related Words: water
food
shelter
oxygen
air
warmth
homes family
friends
society

Alternative: Ask student to write their responses in a learning log or on scratch paper. When you say, “STOP,”
they exchange papers with a partner and ask each other to explain any of the words on their lists but are also
exposed to the thinking of another student.

TIP: If you do this activity aloud with an entire class, set parameters to avoid chaos. Require students to raise a
hand and be called on, or, to ensure they pay attention to their peers’ responses, require them to repeat the
previous response before offering one.

From Building Academic Vocabulary by Robert Marzano & Debra Pickering, ASCD
 Introduction to Chapter 13 and Psychodynamic Theories

1. Personality is an individual’s characteristic patterns of _________________, ________________, and

_________________.

2. The four theories are:

a. ______________________

b. ______________________

c. ______________________

d. ______________________

3. Psychodynamic Theory

a. Focus on the ___________ ______________

b. ________________ and human _______________develop in a dynamic interplay between

conscious and __________________ processes.

4. Sigmund Freud

a. Focused mostly on the _________________.

b. His theory was called: __________________.

5. Techniques:

a. Free _______________

i. Patient spoke freely, while the therapist traced the flow of thoughts to his or her past

experiences or unconscious thought.

b. Freudian Slip

i. Mistakes in speech, according to Freud, are caused by our ___________________

thoughts.
 Name: _________________________

Homework

Read the table below and circle which boxes seem to best apply to you. Circle a maximum of four boxes. In the
space underneath the table, explain why you chose what you did. This doesn’t have to be extensive, but just
enough to give me an idea of who you are.

Realistic, like to Tend to make their

focus on the facts decisions using Tend to be organized
Energized by people,
and details. Tend to logical analysis, and prepared, like to
enjoy a variety of
apply common sense objectively weigh make and stick to
tasks, a quick pace,
and past experience pros and cons, and plans, and are
and are good at
to find practical value honesty, comfortable
multitasking
solutions to consistency, and following most rules
problems. fairness

Prefer to focus on Tend to be sensitive

Like working alone or Prefer to keep their
possibilities and the and cooperative, and
in small groups, options open, like to
big picture, easily see decide based on their
prefer a more be able to act
patterns, value own personal values
deliberate pace, and spontaneously and
innovation, and seek and how others will
like to focus on one like to be flexible
creative solutions to be affected by their
task at a time. with making plans
problems. actions.

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