Many theories of categorization have included an intuitive role for our ability to detect and judge similarity. Yet, this important role of similarity processing has been disputed. This research adopts a model of similarity processing through structure mapping (Gentner, 1983) to explore its role in similarity processing and categorization. Relational categories, organized around shared structure rather than overlapping surface features, provide an ideal arena in which to test this claim. If structural alignment is central to both similarity and categorization for these categories, then factors known to affect similarity judgments should affect categorization judgments in the same way. The three experiments reported here explore three manipulations of alignability: promoting alignment between possible category members, promoting alignment between same-category members, or disrupting alignment of a category member and possible category members. The evidence is ultimately inconclusive. While manipulating alignment affects both similarity and categorization, it does not do so consistently, nor is it clear that this is the only explanation for the observed differences. Implications and future directions are discussed.

Creator

• Maravilla, Francisco Epimeño

DOI

• https://doi.org/10.21985/n2-h76h-xt20

Subject

• Cognitive psychology

Language

• en

Alternate Identifier

• etdadmin_upload_765333
• http://dissertations.umi.com/northwestern:15302

Keyword

• fallacy
• learning
• language
• analogy
• category
• logic

Date created

• 2020-01-01

Resource type

• Dissertation

Rights statement

• In Copyright