Computer stimulated associations

This article presents insights which might arise in the interaction between people and computers. The computer interactions were undertaken with the express intent of generating insights into problems. The sample contained both men and women ages 18 to 55. The prime interest in the study was to discover how people obtain insights. Computer users’ accounts of their experiences appeared to support the argument that randomly generated words and semimeaningful statements can set in motion a train of associations. Of particular interest was the finding that a train of ideas following a theme may be triggered by a particular word or phrase.