3 experiments were conducted to test certain general hypotheses derived from a microgenetic approach to word association. Association responses given under time pressure were compared with those given without time pressure in groups of college students. Word associations of schizophrenics and a group of hospital aides were similarly compared without time pressure. The results in part supported the hypothesis that word associations of the college students performing under time pressure would differ from those of the Ss without time pressure in the same way that responses of the schizophrenics would differ from those of the aides. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)