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1
Q

What is categorization ?

A

It refers to a process through which objects are sorted and classified

–> linking higher cognition to perception

2
Q

There are 3 different categorization systems, each being associated with different memory systems.

What are they called ?

A
  1. WM/ rule-based categorization system
  2. Explicit LTM/ similarity-based categorization system
  3. Implicit LTM categorization system
3
Q

WM/rule-based categorization system

A

Decides whether a certain item belongs to a category by determining whether the item fits a certain rule that defines the category

4
Q

Explicit LTM/ similarity-based categorization system

A

Decides whether a certain item belongs to a category by determining the item’s similarity to remembered exemplars of the category

5
Q

Implicit LTM categorization system

A

Decides whether a certain item belongs to a category by assessing the ease at which its perceptual features can be processed

–> the greater the perceptual fluency the greater the likelihood of membership

6
Q

Why can categorization sometimes occur in “fuzzy sets” ?

A

Because categories may not always be fully bound to a particular context but may be diffused to different types of situations or contexts

–> objects may belong to one or more concepts, in varying degrees of fitness

ex.: a “fox” may belong to the category “dog” but not to the same degree as “wolf”

7
Q

Which factors play an extensive role when learning to categorize ?

A
  1. Language
  2. Culture
  3. Personal associations
  4. Priming
  5. Experience
8
Q

Why do we categorize ?

A

1. Cognitive economy

  • our minds are not capable of treating every object as unique

2. Minimizes the differences among members within a category + maximizes the differences between different categories

9
Q

Do people from western vs eastern societies categorize differently ?

A

Yes, eastern categorization is more holistic, whereas western categorization seems to be more analytic

10
Q

Anthropocentrism refers to the tendency to regard humankind as the central or most important element of existence, especially as opposed to God or animals.

Which factors influence/induce a more anthropocentric view vs a lesser one ?

A

More:

  1. Receiving less input about other species
    ex. : not owning pets, living in the city
  2. Receiving more input about theories of psychological causality for humans

Less:

Being more holistic

–> more likely see humans + nature as one

11
Q

When does anthropocentric reasoning start ?

How long does it persist ?

A

It usually starts between the ages of 5-7, and is said to stop at the age of 10

–> it can persist in adulthood though

12
Q

What is essentialism ?

A

A belief that things have a set of characteristics which make them what they are

–> view that for any specific entity there is a set of attributes which are necessary to its identity and function

13
Q

Essentialist theory of race

A

Is a belief that race is a real entity that consists of underlying essence, determining a person’s disposition and is characterized by clear, unalterable physical + psychological markers

14
Q

Prototype based approach

A

Proposes the existence of mental prototypes/family resemblance

–> objects more similar to the prototype/typical are identified faster

ex.: would rather classify an eagle as a bird than a pinguin

(explicit LTM)

BUT: fuzzy borders !

15
Q

Classical approach

A

All examples or instances of a concept share fundamental characteristics or features that are individually necessary + collectively sufficient

–> rigid, clearly defined, rule-based

(WM)

16
Q

Exemplar based approach

A

Assumes that people categorize new instances by comparing them to representations of previously stored instances (exemplars)

–> comparing to existing memories

(explicit LTM)

17
Q

What is a concept ?

Which different kinds are there ?

A
  1. Refers to a mental representation of some object

–> also prototype

2.

a) Natural

–> animals, plants

b) Formal

–> adverbs, prime numbers

c) Nominal

–> items for traveling, study materials

d). Ad hoc

–> things to save from a burning house/ things that usually don’t belong into the same category but now do

18
Q

Basic level effect

A

Person uses his/her knowledge of how the concept is organized to justify the classification + to explain why certain instances happen to go together in same category

–> modulated by expertise

19
Q

Theory based categorization

A

Implicit theories of general ideas stored in our minds will influence our category judgments

20
Q

Cognitive economy

A

If we devide the world into classes of things, we decrease the amount of info we need to perceive, remember + recognize

21
Q

Basic level category

A

Refers to the middle ground between the Superordinate + subordinate level category

–> shifts downward into subordinate category as expertise grows

e.g.: better discrimination, more detailed description

22
Q

How do we learn to cateforize ?

A

1. Concept formation

  • abstraction of a feature set
    ex. : child acquires representation of the concept apple

2. Concept learning

  • applying a concept + getting feedback
    ex. : child learns why tomato is not an apple