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Week 7-Categories and Concepts

The document discusses categories and concepts, which allow humans to efficiently navigate the world. It explores how cognitive scientists study this abstract topic of how we form categories and concepts, and examines how these findings can be applied to teaching. Some key points covered include how concepts are represented by prototypes, how typicality influences categorization speed and accuracy, and how teaching concepts rather than facts can improve learning outcomes, especially in domains like physics.

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NTRisforthinkers
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77 views

Week 7-Categories and Concepts

The document discusses categories and concepts, which allow humans to efficiently navigate the world. It explores how cognitive scientists study this abstract topic of how we form categories and concepts, and examines how these findings can be applied to teaching. Some key points covered include how concepts are represented by prototypes, how typicality influences categorization speed and accuracy, and how teaching concepts rather than facts can improve learning outcomes, especially in domains like physics.

Uploaded by

NTRisforthinkers
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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16-10-31

07-Categories and Concepts


Although we can eortlessly
assign novel objects to categories
and concepts, computers nd this
task much more challenging. This
advanced skill allows us to
eciently navigate through the
environment and make opDmal
decisions. Today, we explore how
cogniDve scienDsts study this
abstract topic and examine how
ndings can be applied to
teaching.

Ability to form categories and concepts


allows efficient navigation through the world.

Superordinate
Superordinate level
Furniture

BASIC LEVEL
Basic
Chair

Subordinate level
Subordinate
Windsor

16-10-31

Basic is the most abstract level at


which objects have similar shapes.

Bad guys
Superordinate level
(most general)

Higher chance for accuracy


Low predictive power

Imperial Troops
BASIC
Snowtroopers
Subordinate level
(most specific)

Lower chance for accuracy


high predictive power

ExperDse determines speed of


category vericaDon.
Species

Animal
Bird or dog

Shen, Mack, Palmeri, 2014

16-10-31

A concept is represented by a prototypical


item which has central tendency.

A new exemplar is classied by its similarity to the prototype

And that he doesnt


perfectly match your
prototype.

Typicality inuences vericaDon


Dmes.
Typical
1
1. Is a dog a mammal?
2. Is a diamond a precious
stone?
3. Is a stormtrooper an
Imperial trooper?

Atypical
2
1. Is a whale a mammal?
2. Is turquoise a precious
stone?
3. Is Captain Rex an Imperial
trooper?

16-10-31

Is this a cat?

Is this a sport?

Is this a good use of CGI?

Typicality eect shows a graded


structure to classicaDon.
atypical

typical

Prototypes can be directly formed through instrucDon


or indirectly through inducDve learning.

Prototype

Small
Distortion

Medium
Distortion

Large
Distortion

Prototype are o]en easy to classify and remember


even if the prototype is never seen during learning.

16-10-31

CategorizaDon inclusion as old


depends on pa`ern type.

How should courses featuring problem solving


with equaDons be opDmally taught?

IntervenDon: force students to jusDfy


categorizaDon of physics problems.

16-10-31

Teaching to concepts improves


learning outcomes in physics.

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