The author presents an account of the history of the word association test with particular reference to Jung's use of it plus a review of the literature and of research in this field. Questioning its relevance led to the setting up of an experimental study.

A group of 66 students with a mean age of 24 years took part. The following parameters were concomitantly measured: (a) Non-verbal variables: skin resistance response, heartrate, muscle tension, respiration, smiling, body movement. (b) Verbal variables: reaction time, initial association, time before repetition of the initial association, correct response reproduction.

All categories produced significant findings. The most sensitive indices of associative processes were skin resistance response, reaction time and body movements. The last is accessible to all workers in this field. Hence we have at our disposal one measurement of tension relating to repressed material.