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Related Concept Videos

Concepts and Prototypes01:24

Concepts and Prototypes

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The human nervous system handles vast amounts of information by translating sensory stimuli into neural impulses, which the brain processes, creating thoughts expressed through language or stored as memories. The brain also synthesizes information from emotions and memories, which significantly influence thoughts and behaviors. This intricate process creates a comprehensive mental picture.
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Natural and Artificial Concepts01:24

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In psychology, concepts can be divided into two categories: natural and artificial. Natural concepts are formed through direct or indirect experiences. For example, consider the concept of snow. If you live in a place with regular snowfall, such as Essex Junction, Vermont, you know snow through direct experiences. You’ve seen it fall, touched it, shoveled it, and played in it. You recognize its texture, appearance, and even its smell. In contrast, if you live on an island like Saint...
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If a driven oscillator needs to resonate at a specific frequency, then very light damping is required. An example of light damping includes playing piano strings and many other musical instruments. Conversely, to achieve small-amplitude oscillations as in a car's suspension system, heavy damping is required. Heavy damping reduces the amplitude, but the tradeoff is that the system responds at more frequencies. Speed bumps and gravel roads prove that even a car's suspension system is not...
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Vector Representation of Complex Numbers01:16

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Complex numbers, represented in Cartesian coordinates, can also be visualized as vectors. These vectors can be expressed in polar form, emphasizing their magnitude and angle. When a complex number is input into a function, the output is another complex number, highlighting the function's zero point from which the vector representation can originate.
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Health is a condition of the body, mind, and spirit where an individual remains free from illness. Similarly, wellness is an active state, including living a lifestyle that promotes physical, mental, and emotional health. Physical health is critical for the overall well-being and can be affected by lifestyle, activity level, diet, and behavior. The highest attainable standard of health is a fundamental and universal human right. Consider Lisa, a fifteen-year-old born with congenital...
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A Psychophysics Paradigm for the Collection and Analysis of Similarity Judgments
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The function and representation of concepts.

Sangeet S Khemlani1, Geoffrey Goodwin

  • 1Department of Psychology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA. khemlani@princeton.edu

The Behavioral and Brain Sciences
|June 30, 2010
PubMed
Summary

This study critiques Machery's concept representation, arguing it's too narrow. It explores exceptions to his taxonomy and questions the elimination of concepts in cognitive science.

Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Science
  • Philosophy of Mind
  • Conceptual Representation

Background:

  • Empirical and theoretical research reveals significant heterogeneity in how concepts are represented.
  • Eduardo Machery has proposed a framework organizing this heterogeneity into prototypes, exemplars, and theories.
  • This framework has been influential in cognitive science and philosophy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the scope and limitations of Machery's representational taxonomy.
  • To investigate whether Machery's framework adequately captures the full spectrum of conceptual representation.
  • To explore the implications of Machery's arguments for the existence and nature of concepts.

Main Methods:

  • Critical analysis of Machery's arguments and assumptions regarding conceptual structure.

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  • Examination of empirical and theoretical evidence that may challenge Machery's proposed categories.
  • Philosophical argumentation concerning the necessity and viability of concepts in cognitive science.

    • Main Results:

    • Machery's taxonomy, while useful, may be too restrictive by focusing solely on prototypes, exemplars, and theories.
    • Certain conceptual representations may not fit neatly into Machery's established categories, suggesting exceptions to his model.
    • The strong eliminative implications of Machery's argument warrant further scrutiny.

    Conclusions:

    • Machery's organization of conceptual representation is valuable but potentially overlooks significant aspects of concept formation.
    • The existence of exceptions suggests a need for a more inclusive model of conceptual representation.
    • The debate on whether concepts can be eliminated from cognitive science remains open and requires further investigation.