Chapter 2: Similarity

Question 1

theories of similarity (4)

Answer 1

1. geometric model
2. contrast model
3. alignment model
4. transformational model

Question 2

geometric model

Answer 2

• similarity is represented in psychological space
• similarity rating task - ppl rate the similarity of one object to another
• multi-dimensional scaling - dimensions of object are given by K & described mathematically

Question 3

city block (geometric model)

Answer 3

• dimensions are perceptually separable
• ex: height & weight

Question 4

euclidean (geometric model)

Answer 4

• dimensions are perceptually inseparable
• ex: colour hues

Question 5

core assumptions of the geometric model (3)

Answer 5

1. minimality
2. triangle inequality
3. symmetry

Question 6

minimality (core assumption of geometric model)

Answer 6

• a thing must be closer/more similar to itself than it is to any other object
• A:A > A:B

Question 7

symmetry (core assumption of geometric model)

Answer 7

• A:B = B:A
• comparison order does not matter

Question 8

triangle inequality (core assumption of geometric model)

Answer 8

• a straight line connecting 2 points is the shortest path between the points
• psychological distance between 2 pairs must be greater than or equal to the distance between any 1 pair
• ex: Jamaica is similar to Cuba & Cuba is similar to Russia BUT Jamaica is NOT similar to Russia

Question 9

contrast model

Answer 9

• similarity of A to B is expressed as linear combination of the measure of common & distinctive features
• ex: North Korea is more similar to Red China than vice versa b/c Red China has more distinctive features
• focus on features

Question 10

transformational model

Answer 10

• objects are similar if they can be transformed

Question 11

3 inch round object study

Answer 11

• quarter is more similar to 3 inch round object but pizza is more likely to get classification
• asked about similarity = fixed (quarter)
• asked about category = variable (pizza)