free association

 

noun

[mass noun]
  • 1 Psychology the mental process by which one word or image may spontaneously suggest another without any necessary logical connection.
  • a psychoanalytic technique for investigation of the unconscious mind, in which a relaxed subject reports all passing thoughts without reservation.
  • 2the forming of a group, political alliance, or other organization without any external restriction: the right of free association

Derivatives

free-associate

verb
free association (sense 1).