noun
association of ideas; mental association
Technical term in psychology and philosophy for the linking of concepts in the mind. Not an everyday word; used in academic or explanatory contexts.
心理学では、観念連合の原理が記憶の仕組みを説明するのに使われる。
In psychology, the principle of association of ideas is used to explain how memory works.
連想 is the common word for 'association' in everyday contexts, while 観念連合 is a formal, technical term.
Compound of 観念 (idea, concept) and 連合 (union, association). Likely a Meiji-era calque from Western psychology terminology.