Little systematic research has been done into the setting of psychoanalysis. From a metatheoretical standpoint, however, experimental psychological research using variables from the psychoanalytic setting is important. In the first part of this article some relevant experimental studies from American literature are described. In Part 2 our own research is presented. Our research problem: is the psychoanalytic set up (c.q. the lying position) more favourable for free association than the psychotherapeutic set up (sitting, face to face position).

Eighteen testsubjects were asked to free associate in both positions. Their free associations were rated by means of Bordin's Free Association Scale. No significant differences were found, but the results indicate that beside the lying and the sitting position, personal variables play an important role.