Makes Me Think Of
Makes Me Think Of is an association exercise in which players stand in a circle and each person responds to the previous contribution by saying what it brings to mind. The chain of associations builds quickly, training players to follow their first impulse without censoring. The exercise develops free association skills essential for scene initiation and group mind.
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Related Exercises
Associatioin Chain
Association Chain is a circle exercise in which each player says a word inspired by the previous player's word, building a rapid chain of free associations. The exercise trains spontaneous, uncensored responses and reveals the connective leaps that drive improvised scene work. Speed is essential to prevent intellectual filtering.
The Name Game
The Name Game is a circle exercise in which players learn and reinforce each other's names through rhythmic chanting, clapping, or movement patterns. The repetition builds memory through physical association. The exercise is a staple opening activity that creates group cohesion and ensures every player is known by name.
Free Association Circle
Free Association Circle is a group exercise in which players standing in a circle pass words around the circle, each player saying the first word that comes to mind in response to the word just spoken. There is no topic, no narrative, and no correct direction -- only the unfiltered associative chain between one mind and the next. The exercise develops spontaneity, the suppression of the self-editing reflex, and the awareness of how the associative mind generates material.
Dissociation
Dissociation is an exercise that reverses the standard word association pattern by requiring players to say a word that has no connection to the previous word. The exercise is surprisingly difficult, as the mind naturally seeks patterns and relationships. It trains performers to break habitual thought connections and access unexpected material.
The Machine
The Machine is a group exercise in which players build a collective apparatus by adding interlocking physical movements and sounds one at a time. Each new contributor must connect their action to the existing mechanism. The exercise develops ensemble coordination, physical commitment, and the ability to contribute to a shared creation.
Walk-over Association
Walk-over Association is a warm-up exercise in which players walk around the space and call out words in a free-association chain, each person building on the last word spoken. The physical movement helps bypass the analytical mind and encourages instinctive, uncensored responses. The exercise trains the association skills fundamental to scene initiation.
How to Reference This Page
The Improv Archive. (2026). Makes Me Think Of. Retrieved March 17, 2026, from https://improvarchive.org/exercises/makes-me-think-of
The Improv Archive. "Makes Me Think Of." The Improv Archive, 2026. https://improvarchive.org/exercises/makes-me-think-of.
The Improv Archive. "Makes Me Think Of." The Improv Archive, 2026, https://improvarchive.org/exercises/makes-me-think-of. Accessed March 17, 2026.
The Improv Archive is a systemically maintained repository. The archive itself acts as the corporate author.