Glossary / Lexicon

Deutsch: Assoziatives Verschieben / Español: Desplazamiento Asociativo / Português: Deslocamento Associativo / Français: Déplacement Associatif / Italiano: Spostamento Associativo /

Associative shifting refers to a Thorndikean concept that describes a process whereby a response is gradually shifted to a situation entirely different from that in which it was learned. One way of doing this is to change the initial stimulus very gradually, a process called fading.

Associative shifting is a cognitive process in which an individual's attention shifts from one stimulus to another based on a perceived association between the two stimuli. This process involves making connections between stimuli based on their similarities or shared characteristics.

Here are some examples of associative shifting:

1. Word Association: In a word association task, individuals are given a word and asked to provide the first word that comes to mind. The responses given are often related to the initial word, reflecting the process of associative shifting.

2. Learning and Memory: Associative shifting plays an important role in learning and memory. When we learn new information, we often associate it with existing knowledge to help us remember it later. For example, if you learn a new vocabulary word, you might associate it with a similar word you already know to help you remember it.

3. Advertising: Advertisers often use associative shifting to make connections between their products and positive emotions or experiences. For example, an advertisement for a vacation resort might show images of happy families enjoying the beach to create an association between the resort and positive emotions.

4. Prejudice and Stereotyping: Associative shifting can also contribute to prejudice and stereotyping. When individuals make associations between certain groups of people and negative characteristics, it can lead to biased attitudes and discriminatory behavior.

Overall, associative shifting is a fundamental cognitive process that helps us make connections between stimuli and can impact our perceptions, attitudes, and behavior. By understanding how associative shifting works, we can better understand how we make decisions and form opinions, and we can develop strategies to combat biased thinking and promote more rational decision-making.