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So concepts aren't definitions, but do they have necessary or sufficient features?
1School of Psychology, University of Wales, Bangor, UK. e.pothos@bangor.ac.uk
British Journal of Psychology (London, England : 1953)
|August 25, 2000
Summary
This study re-evaluates Rips' (1989) work on critical features in conceptual structure. Findings suggest that conceptual classification does not rely on strong necessary or sufficient features.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Philosophy of Mind
- Linguistics
Background:
- The concept of critical features in conceptual structure, as demonstrated by Rips (1989), is widely cited.
- Critical features are proposed to constrain object classification independently of overall similarity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clarify proposals regarding critical features, distinguishing between necessary, sufficient, or definitional (both) features.
- To empirically re-evaluate Rips' (1989) seminal work on critical features in conceptual structure.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and conceptual clarification of critical feature theories.
- Empirical re-evaluation of Rips' (1989) experimental paradigms and findings.
Main Results:
- The study clarifies the distinction between necessary, sufficient, and definitional features in conceptual structure.
- Empirical re-evaluation results do not support strong claims for necessary or sufficient features in conceptual classification.
Conclusions:
- Rips' (1989) findings on critical features may be overstated.
- Conceptual classification appears more flexible and less constrained by strict necessary or sufficient features than previously proposed.