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Creating Objects and Object Categories for Studying Perception and Perceptual Learning
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Published on: November 2, 2012

The empirical case for role-governed categories.

Micah B Goldwater1, Arthur B Markman, C Hunt Stilwell

  • 1Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, 2029 Sheridan Road - 102 Swift Hall, Evanston, IL 60208-2710, United States. micahbg@gmail.com

Cognition
|December 15, 2010
PubMed
Summary

This study provides empirical evidence for role-governed categories, distinct from feature-based ones. Role-governed categories rely on extrinsic properties and ideals, differing from traditional concept theories.

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Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Concept Formation
  • Categorization Theory

Background:

  • Traditional theories of categorization emphasize feature-based representations.
  • Markman and Stilwell (2001) proposed role-governed categories, which are roles in relational systems.
  • Empirical evidence for role-governed categories is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide empirical evidence distinguishing role-governed categories from feature-based categories.
  • To investigate the unique properties of role-governed categories.
  • To explore the implications for the study of concepts and categorization.

Main Methods:

  • Three experiments were conducted to test predictions about role-governed categories.
  • Experiment 1 examined knowledge differences related to extrinsic properties.
  • Experiment 2 assessed the prominence of ideals in role-governed categories.
  • Experiment 3 investigated the licensing of novel role-governed categories by relational structures.

Main Results:

  • Knowledge of role-governed categories is primarily based on extrinsic properties, unlike feature-based categories.
  • Role-governed categories exhibit more prominent ideals compared to feature-based categories.
  • Novel role-governed categories can be formed by establishing new relational structures.

Conclusions:

  • The findings support the existence and distinct nature of role-governed categories.
  • This research challenges traditional feature-based models of categorization.
  • Understanding role-governed categories offers broader implications for cognitive science and concept research.