Discrete Normative Associations of Selected Words

Summary

Unlike word frequency counts—e.g., Thorndike and Lorge—or nonsense syllable norms, the total number of different words scaled in extant norms with free associations is limited, although some words were repeatedly scaled. In order to remedy this situation and broaden the word pool for future research, a new norm for 48 words was obtained by means of free associations in the present study (N = 58 men and women undergraduate students in psychology). Discrete normative free associations were procured for 10 words for the first time by the current norm. For the words previously scaled, whereas there were some noticeable differences, overall substantial consistency was observed between the present and earlier results. Further, a survey of previously available word association norms disclosed useful information and interesting trends in this field.