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Word Association: Variables Affecting Popular-Response Frequency

Author(s):
Gerjuoy, Herbert; Schiffman, Harold; Wexler, Norman; Wynne, Ronald D.
Publication Year:
1965
Report Number:
RB-65-39
Source:
ETS Research Bulletin
Document Type:
Report
Page Count:
21
Subject/Key Words:
National Institute of Mental Health, Association Measures, Kent Rosanoff Word Association Test, Response Style (Tests), Test Format

Abstract

Normal subjects were given 54 Kent-Rosanoff word-association- test items in one of two different orders; antonym-eliciting items were concentrated either (a) near the beginning or (b) near the end of the list. For each order, testing was administered under three different test conditions: (a) standard free-association instructions, (b) instructions to give the response "most people" would give, and (c) "most people" instructions with a multiple- choice test format. The order starting with antonym-eliciting items elicited more popular antonym responses than did the other order. Popularity-set instructions, particularly with the multiple-choice format, elicited more non-antonym popular responses than did free-association test conditions. With repeated testing, popular antonyms became more frequent. For some sequences of test conditions, there was also an increase in non-antonym popular responses with repeated testing.

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