To associate freely (FOLLOWING THE KAREN HORNEY TEXT)

To associate freely (FOLLOWING THE KAREN HORNEY TEXT)
means an endeavor on the part of the patient to ex-
press without reserve, and in the sequence in which it
emerges, everything that comes into his mind, regardless
of whether it is or appears trivial, off the point, incoher-
cnt, irrational, indiscreet, tactless, embarrassing, humili-
ating. It may not be unnecessary to add that "everything"
is meant literally. It includes not only fleeting and diffuse
thoughts but also specific ideas and `memories of inci-
dents that have occurred since the last interview, mem-
ories of experiences at any period of life, thoughts about
self and others, reactions to the analyst or the analytical
situation, beliefs in regard to religion, morals, politics,
art, wishes and plans for the future, fantasies past and
present, and, of course, dreams. It is particularly impor-
tant that the patient express every feeling that emerges,
such as fondness, hope, triumph, discouragement, re-
lief, suspicion, anger, as well as every diffuse or spe-
cific thought. Of course the patient will have objections
to voicing certain things, for one reason or another, but
he should express these objections instead of using them
to withhold the particular thought or feeling.
Free association differs from our customary way of
thinking or talking not only in its frankness and unre-
servedness, but also in its apparent lack of direction. In
discussing a problem, talking about our plans for the
week end, explaining the value of merchandise to a cus-
tomer, we are accustomed to stick fairly closely to the
point. From the diverse currents that pass through our
minds we tend to select those elements for expression
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which are pertinent to the situation. Even when talk-
ing with our closest friends we select what to express and
what to omit, even though we are not aware of it. In
free association, however, there is an effort to express
everything that passes through the mind, regardless of
where it may lead. _
Like many other human endeavors, free association
can be used for constructive or for obstructive purposes.
If the patient has an unambiguous determination to re-
veal himself to the analyst his associations will be mean-
ingful and suggestive. If he has stringent interests not to
face certain unconscious factors his associations will be
unproductive. These interests may be so prevailing that
the good sense of free association is turned into non-
sense. What results then is a flight of meaningless ideas
having merely a mock resemblance to their true purpose.
Thus the value of free association depends entirely on
the spirit in which it is done. If the spirit is one of ut-
most frankness and sincerity, of determination to face
one’s own problems, and of willingness to open oneself
to another human being, then the process can serve the
purpose for which it is intended.