This document describes the Associations Pyramid problem-solving method. The method involves first identifying a problem and writing associated words around it. Six to twelve associated words are then written at the bottom of a pyramid structure. Pairs of words are compared and combined moving up the pyramid layers until a final idea or solution is reached at the top. The Associations Pyramid is intended to help solve personal, creative, or social problems in an unexpected way through free association of ideas.

1. CENTRES (Creative Entrepreneurship in Schools) project has been funded with support from the European Commission.
This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which
may be made of the information contained therein.
www.centres-eu.org
With the support of the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union
“Associations Pyramid. A problem-solving method”
Scenario
Suggested time: from 1.5 hours to up to 2.5-3 hours. Time depends on whether we solve the problem individually or in groups, orwe use both stages.
Objective: to solve an individual’s or a group’s problem
Participants: any age
Materials: if we decide to deliver the activity in two stages, in the first part each participant should have a sheet of paper to draw the Associations Pyramid individually, by himself/ herself. If a group works together, one would need a blackboard or a flipchart. In this scenario, we propose a group work method.
Optimum group size: 15-20 participants
Remarks on how to conduct the classes: first, the tutor presents to the group the method of problem solving called “Associations Pyramid” (after the late, excellent teacher of creativity, Janusz Kujawski). While choosing the method of group work, one should remember that perhaps not every participant will be able to comment as (like during the "brainstorming") associations should appear quickly and usually one records the first ones to emerge.
Course of the classes
The tutor shall record the associations according to the instruction provided below.
ASSOCIATIONS PYRAMID by Janusz Kujawski
Janusz Kujawski (1954 – 2003), Polish teacher of creativity, academic lecturer at the APS (Department of Psychological Sciences), author of training sessions in creativity and heuristic technique* called the Associations Pyramid.
The method of Associations Pyramids can produce very surprising and creative effects when it is implemented in solving given problems of a personal, artistic, literary, inventive, scientific, or social nature. As a method, the Associations Pyramid is mainly based on matching words - catchwords, mini-definitions, output elements - in pairs. As a result, we are provided with a string of associations crowned by a far-fetched and accurate analogy of the issue under consideration, located at the top of the pyramid.
The number of “output elements" used is arbitrary; however, the optimum number of elements of the pyramid’s base is a number comprised within the range of 6 to 12 words constituting the "output elements”. In this method, it is important that the choice of an appropriate association between the two words is made by the person solving the Pyramid. “With this, the entirety of

2. CENTRES (Creative Entrepreneurship in Schools) project has been funded with support from the European Commission.
This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which
may be made of the information contained therein.
www.centres-eu.org
With the support of the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union
the results obtained shall reflect his personality, especially his own way of thinking." (Kujawski, 2002, p. 3).
Linked to this is such a property of the pyramid that we are not always able to think/ associate the same way as the person solving a given pyramid, and the hint provided is not always the one the person solving the pyramid is looking for. The right association is always inside the person solving the Pyramid.
/Marta Szczygłowska, unpublished M.A. thesis titled Associations Pyramids by Janusz Kujawski/
*Heureka (Greek „heurisko” I have found) – cry of joy, usually accompanying the unexpected discovery of the solution to a difficult problem. Attributed to Archimedes, mistakenly translated into Polish as the word "eureka!"
Stage I - in the center circle, we write down "our" problem to be solved, for example changing ways of spending free time. In individual empty circles, we write down associations that come to our mind when we think of free time (i.e. our problem to solve). The number of associations is arbitrary, yet it shall be reasonable. It is important that associations pop up quickly and are honest.
Problem: ways of spending free time
Free time

3. CENTRES (Creative Entrepreneurship in Schools) project has been funded with support from the European Commission.
This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which
may be made of the information contained therein.
www.centres-eu.org
With the support of the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union
Stage II – From our circle, we choose six associations which we write down in the fields at the bottom of the pyramid. Next, we start comparing selected words “1” with words “2” and we write the result in the field above. Next, “2” with “3”, and so on. We build the pyramid of our personal associations.
Building the Associations Pyramid
Last association - at the top of the pyramid - is:
- idea
- reflexion
This way you can develop an entire strategy, a catch phrase, or try to put a thought, dream, or idea into practice...
This exercise is rather time-consuming yet worthwhile, as it brings a lot of personal satisfaction and invites us to reflect on the way we have to go from generating the problem to its - maybe - completely unexpected solution.
Polskie Stowarzyszenie Kreatywności (Polish Association of Creativity) www.p-s-k.pl psk@p-s-k.pl www.centres.org.pl
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