Cognition and Categorization

This book discusses the nature and principles of category formation, organized into three sections: real-world categories, cognitive processes, and representation. It assumes category processors who can judge similarity, perceive attributes, and learn, and examines structural aspects of real-world categories, cognitive functions, and representational assumptions.

Format: Hardback
Length: 340 pages
Publication date: 01 December 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Originally published in 1978, this book comprises a collection of papers that originated from a 1976 meeting organized by the Social Science Research Council with the purpose of exploring the nature and principles of category formation. The book is structured into three sections: real-world categories, cognitive processes underlying categorization, and the nature of representation.

In Part I, the authors examine various structural aspects of real-world categories. They delve into folk biological taxonomies, the organization of categories within and between material objects, and specific categories in a language that represents the world through visual and gestural cues. Throughout this section, the authors assume the existence of category processors, which are capable of performing at least three cognitive functions: judging similarity between stimuli, perceiving and processing stimulus attributes, and learning.

Part II delves into comprehensive analyses of these three cognitive functions. The discussion encompasses psychological structures and processes, ultimately leading to the exploration of representational assumptions underlying the earlier discussions. Part III specifically examines the representational assumptions that underlie the preceding discussions, providing a deeper understanding of the theoretical frameworks employed in the book.

While the book was originally published in 1978, its content remains relevant and valuable today. It offers insights into the cognitive mechanisms that shape our understanding of the world and provides a historical perspective on the development of category formation research. By reading this book, readers can gain a deeper appreciation of the complexities and nuances involved in categorization processes and the diverse ways in which humans represent and interpret their environment.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032633121