Barsalou, L. W. (1985) Ideals, central tendency, and frequency of instantiation as determinants of graded structure in categories. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 11(4), pp. 629-654. (doi: 10.1037/0278-7393.11.1-4.629) (PMID:2932520)
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Abstract
Two experiments examined 3 possible determinants of graded structure (central tendency, ideals, and frequency of instantiation). Ss were 74 and 54 university students in Exps I and II, respectively. Exp I found that central tendency did not predict graded structure in goal-derived categories, although it did predict graded structure in common taxonomic categories. Ideals and frequency of instantiation predicted graded structure in both category types to sizable and equal extents. A 4th possible determinant—familiarity—did not predict typicality in either common taxonomic or goal-derived categories. Exp II demonstrated that both central tendency and ideals causally determined graded structure and that the determinants of a particular category's graded structure could change with context. It is suggested that ideals may determine a category's graded structure in one context, whereas central tendency may determine a different graded structure in another. It is proposed that graded structures do not reflect invariant structures associated with categories but instead reflect people's dynamic ability to construct concepts.
Item Type: | Articles |
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Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Barsalou, Professor Lawrence |
Authors: | Barsalou, L. W. |
College/School: | College of Science and Engineering > School of Psychology |
Journal Name: | Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition |
Publisher: | American Psychological Association |
ISSN: | 0278-7393 |
ISSN (Online): | 1939-1285 |
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