dissociation

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "dissociation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word "dissociation" to describe the process of separating or disconnecting one thing from another. For example: "The dissociation of the two countries left many people feeling disconnected from their homeland."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Dissociation may be a genuine psychological condition, but the details of dissociative identity disturbances are too contentious to bear much philosophical weight.

SEP

Later, in his 30s, he lived life "through an artificial self" in "a state of dissociation", which drove him into the clutches of a fiendish psychoanalyst.

The Economist

Nowadays Lebanon's politicians pay lip-service to an official policy of "dissociation" from Syria but they know it is a farce.

The Economist

They were published in the west without the author's blessing, but his dissociation from their publication abroad was not strong enough for the Soviet authorities, who made it the main charge against him.Expulsion from the union may not be enough to frighten writers.

The Economist

Besides, there is often a strange feeling of regional dissociation in Europe; many countries feel themselves closer to current events in America than to those in neighbouring countries.

The Economist

The initial stage may be a rate-determining dissociation of the cobalt complex shown below, in which methanol is the solvent, "en" is ethylene diamine (H2NCH2CH2NH2), and N− can be any of a variety of nucleophiles, including bromide, thiocyanate, and nitrate ion.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Above 700 °C (1,300 °F), dissociation into iodine atoms becomes appreciable.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This dependence is reflected in the values of acid dissociation constants, which range from about 10−14 (a value only slightly larger than for pure water, for which the dissociation constant = 10−15.7) for the hydrated lithium ion, to about 10−2 (a value equivalent to that of a fairly strong acid) for the hydrated uranium(4+) ion.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The first of these has been shown to proceed intramolecularly (i.e., without dissociation of the nitrite ligand), whereas the second probably occurs through dissociation of one of the water-molecule ligands.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Typically, a plasma is a gas that has had some substantial portion of its constituent atoms or molecules ionized by the dissociation of one or more of their electrons.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 1906 Prince founded the Journal of Abnormal Psychology, which he edited until 1929, and wrote The Dissociation of a Personality (1906), the study of a multiple personality.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing psychological states, use "dissociation" to accurately convey a sense of detachment from reality or self. Ensure the context clarifies whether you're referring to a normal experience or a clinical condition.

Common error

Avoid using "dissociation" when "detachment" or "separation" would be more appropriate. "Dissociation" carries specific clinical and scientific connotations and should not be used loosely to describe general feelings of disinterest or distance.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "dissociation" is as a noun. It refers to the act of separating or disconnecting, or a state of being separated. Ludwig examples show its use in describing psychological states, chemical processes, and political separations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

25%

News & Media

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "dissociation" is a noun commonly used to describe a state of separation or disconnection, as confirmed by Ludwig. Its usage spans various fields, including psychology, chemistry, and politics. While grammatically correct and frequently employed, it's essential to use "dissociation" precisely, particularly when referring to psychological states, to avoid confusion with simpler terms like "detachment" or "separation". Its prevalence in scientific and encyclopedic sources indicates a formal and precise register. Common contexts include science, encyclopedias, and news media, indicating its widespread applicability in discussing diverse forms of separation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disassociation

A near synonym, often used interchangeably but can sometimes imply a more psychological context.

separation

Focuses on the act of dividing or keeping apart.

disconnection

Emphasizes a lack of connection or relationship.

detachment

Highlights emotional distance or lack of involvement.

severance

Implies a complete and formal ending of a relationship.

disunion

Suggests a breaking up of a previously unified entity.

fragmentation

Indicates a breaking into smaller, disconnected pieces.

alienation

Emphasizes a feeling of estrangement or isolation.

estrangement

Highlights the loss of affection or familiarity.

partitioning

Implies dividing something into distinct parts or sections.

FAQs

How is "dissociation" used in psychology?

In psychology, "dissociation" refers to a mental process where a person disconnects from their thoughts, feelings, memories, or sense of identity. It can range from normal experiences like daydreaming to severe conditions such as dissociative identity disorder.

What's the difference between "dissociation" and "disconnection"?

"Dissociation" often refers to a psychological or chemical process of separation, while "disconnection" generally implies a physical or logical break in a link or relationship. The terms are not always interchangeable.

What are some symptoms of pathological "dissociation"?

Symptoms of pathological "dissociation" can include feeling detached from your body, a sense of unreality, memory gaps, and having multiple distinct identities or personality states.

What can cause "dissociation"?

"Dissociation" can be caused by traumatic experiences, chronic stress, or certain mental health conditions. It may also be induced by substance use or medical conditions.