PSYCH 1F03 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Prototype Theory, Exemplar Theory, Dermatology
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Functions of categorization: classification group"s different objects into the same category, ex: green, red, yellow apples, understanding identifying the intentions of a situation. Illusion of the expert the feeling that a task must be simple for everyone because it is simple for oneself. Prototype theory: we categorize objects by comparing them to an internal best representation of a given category; average of your experiences. Doctors use the most readily available exemplar: prototype theory can explain simple categorization better than exemplar theory, both prototype and exemplar theory are independent and vary per person. Animal categorization: baboons can be taught to classify objects with high accuracy, and how to classify using more abstract rules (same vs. different). 90% efficient: animal categorization may not necessarily demonstrate language ability. Showed a group of college students a long list of words in order to see how quickly and accurately the volunteers used movement and naturalness to classify these things as living or non-living.