Dyslexic participants show intact spontaneous categorization processes

We examine the performance of dyslexic participants on an unsupervised categorization task against that of matched non-dyslexic control participants. Unsupervised categorization is a cognitive process critical for conceptual development. Existing research in dyslexia has emphasized perceptual tasks and supervised categorization tasks (for which intact attentional processes are paramount), but there have been no studies on unsupervised categorization. Our investigation was based on Pothos and Chater's (Cognit. Sci., 2002; 26: 303-343) model of unsupervised categorization and the corresponding methodology for analysing results. Across all performance indices and various data-processing options, we could identify no difference between dyslexic and non-dyslexic participants.