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Detection of Architectural Distortion in Prior Mammograms via Analysis of Oriented Patterns
13:44

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Published on: August 30, 2013

Structural alignment facilitates the noticing of differences.

D Gentner1, V Gunn

  • 1Psychology Department, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60608, USA. gentner@northwestern.edu

Memory & Cognition
|August 16, 2001
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Comparing similar concepts highlights both their commonalities and related differences. This study shows that the comparison process itself makes differences more noticeable, supporting structural alignment theory.

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Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Cognitive Science
  • Psychology

Background:

  • High-similarity concept pairs often reveal numerous commonalities and related differences.
  • Previous research suggested this difference advantage supports structural alignment theory.
  • Alternative explanations proposed that stored differences, not the comparison process, might cause this effect.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether the comparison process itself enhances the psychological availability of differences.
  • To determine if the difference advantage is a direct result of comparison or other factors.
  • To test the structural alignment claim that comparison fosters noticing both commonalities and differences.

Main Methods:

  • Three experiments were conducted where participants listed commonalities and differences for word pairs.
  • Time pressure was applied during difference listing for previously compared (old) and new pairs.
  • Experiment 2 involved mere coprocessing (thematic relations) instead of direct comparison.
  • Experiment 3 manipulated the depth of common systems within concept pairs.

Main Results:

  • Participants listed significantly more differences for old pairs than for new pairs, indicating comparison facilitates difference detection.
  • The advantage in listing differences was specific to the comparison process; mere coprocessing did not yield the same benefit and could inhibit it.
  • Pairs with deeper commonalities elicited a greater number of specific, alignable differences.

Conclusions:

  • The findings support the structural alignment theory.
  • The comparison process actively promotes the noticing of both commonalities and related differences.
  • Psychological availability of differences is enhanced by the act of comparison itself.