CHAPTER 8.1: Thought and Language

Question 1

what is a concept

Answer 1

mental representation of any thing!

Question 2

what are categories

Answer 2

clusters of interrelated concepts

(ex. diff breeds of dogs)

Question 3

what is rule based categorization

Answer 3

using a definition to categorize concepts. membership in a category is all or none and all members in category are equal.

ex. idea of triangle is the same regardless of what it looks like because it fits into category of having three points

Question 4

we dont actually utilized rule based categorization and instead utilize ____

Answer 4

typicality effects

Question 5

what are typicality effects? give an example

Answer 5

a kind of graded membership of organizing categories. the membership varies in how typical a concept is in that category.

ex. takes longer for one to recognize that a penguin is a bird than a robin, since a robin is considered a more typical bird. the graded membership is based off of that differing response time.

Question 6

what are prototypes. give an example

Answer 6

mental representations of an average category member. explains typicality effects!

ex. prototype of what you think of when u think of birds (prob like a robin or something)

Question 7

what are exemplars

Answer 7

common specific examples of a category brought to mind when provided with stimulus. provide information about variability of category!

ex. thinking of a chihuaha when thinking of dogs even tho they are very unique looking.