Week 9

Question 1

What are the three fundamental ideas for understanding categorisation according to, Andrew Little?

Answer 1

1. how important it is
2. Generalisation
3. Selective attention

Question 2

In terms of the GENERALISATION phenomena related to categorisation, what is actually meant by TYPICALITY OF INSTANCES?

Answer 2

The more stereotypical a given instance is, the more likely we are the assume it’s qualities generalise

eg for bird, ribbon vs penguin

Question 3

In terms of the GENERALISATION phenomena related to categorisation, what is actually meant by TYPICALITY OF CATEGORY INSTANCES?

Answer 3

If we think a quality might apply to a category, we are more certain it applies to more typical examples of that category

eg for birds, something common to bluejays and robins is more likely to apply to sparrows than geese

Question 4

In terms of the GENERALISATION phenomena related to categorisation, what is actually meant by CATEGORY SIZE?

Answer 4

We’re more likely to generalise to a more modestly sized category

ie from bluejays and falcons to BIRDS as opposed to ANIMALS

Question 5

In terms of the GENERALISATION phenomena related to categorisation, what is actually meant by CATEGORY VARIABILITY?

Answer 5

The Hippo/hamster > hippo/rhino thing