Introduction

In psychology and psychiatry, clanging refers to a mode of speech characterised by association of words based upon sound rather than concepts.

For example, this may include compulsive rhyming or alliteration without apparent logical connection between words.

Background

This is associated with the irregular thinking apparent in psychotic mental illnesses (e.g. mania and schizophrenia). Gustav Aschaffenburg found that manic individuals generated these “clang-associations” roughly 10-50 times more than non-manic individuals. Aschaffenburg also found that the frequency of these associations increased for all individuals as they became more fatigued.

Clanging refers specifically to behaviour that is situationally inappropriate. While a poet rhyming is not evidence of mental illness, disorganised speech that impedes the patient’s ability to communicate is a disorder in itself, often seen in schizophrenia.

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