What is the term for a speech pattern that shows limited connection between topics?

The term that refers to a speech pattern marked by a limited connection between topics is loose associations. This phenomenon is characterized by a disjointed flow of conversation, where the speaker may jump from one idea to another with little logical connection between them. This can often be observed in individuals with certain psychiatric conditions, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder during manic episodes.

Loose associations indicate a breakdown in the logical progression of thoughts, causing the content of speech to appear fragmented and difficult for listeners to follow. This contrasts with other speech patterns, such as flight of ideas, where the speaker may still have a more coherent narrative, albeit with a rapid shift in topics. In echolalia, an individual repeats what others say, and clang association is characterized by a series of words chosen for their similar sounds rather than their meaning. Each of these terms outlines different aspects of speech disturbances in psychiatric conditions, highlighting how loose associations specifically point to a lack of connectivity in ideas during conversation.