PSYCH 2H03 Lecture Notes - Lecture 17: Pomegranate, Prototype Theory, Toyota Camry Solara
1 Mar 2017
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Category: set of entities or examples described by a concept. Functions of concepts: classify, understanding, prediction, reasoning, communication. It is very easy to categorize, but it is difficult to come up with a straight definition that encompasses all items that fall within the category. It is hard to explain how you are categorizing. Generic birds: fly, sing, lay eggs, small size, nest in trees. Robin: fly, sing, lay eggs, small size, nest in trees. Sandpiper: fly, sing, lay eggs, small size. Vulture: fly, lay eggs, nest in trees. We have a concept of what a bird is without having to undertake dna testing. Most of our knowledge as we use it day to day is not based on definitions. Category members of wittgenstein have a family resemblance to one another. Some features are common, but not every member has to have those features. Different members have difference features in common.
