more on this theme
|
more from this text
Single Idea 17977
[filed under theme 18. Thought / D. Concepts / 4. Structure of Concepts / e. Concepts from exemplars
]
Full Idea
In the exemplar view of concepts, the idea that people have a representation that somehow encompasses an entire concept is rejected. ...Instead a person's concept of dogs is the set of dogs that the person remembers.
Gist of Idea
The exemplar view of concepts says 'dogs' is the set of dogs I remember
Source
Gregory L. Murphy (The Big Book of Concepts [2004], Ch. 3)
Book Ref
Murphy,Gregory L.: 'The Big Book of Concepts' [MIT 2004], p.49
A Reaction
[The theory was introduced by Medin and Schaffer 1978] I think I have finally met a plausible theory of concepts. When I think 'dog' I conjure up a fuzz of dogs that exhibit the range I have encountered (e.g. tiny to very big). Individuals come first!
Related Ideas
Idea 17976
Prototypes are unified representations of the entire category (rather than of members) [Murphy]
Idea 17981
Children using knowing and essentialist categories doesn't fit the exemplar view [Murphy]
The
24 ideas
from Gregory L. Murphy
17973
|
The theoretical and practical definitions for the classical view are very hard to find
[Murphy]
|
17969
|
The classical definitional approach cannot distinguish typical and atypical category members
[Murphy]
|
17970
|
Classical concepts follow classical logic, but concepts in real life don't work that way
[Murphy]
|
17971
|
Classical concepts are transitive hierarchies, but actual categories may be intransitive
[Murphy]
|
17972
|
The classical core is meant to be the real concept, but actually seems unimportant
[Murphy]
|
17974
|
The most popular theories of concepts are based on prototypes or exemplars
[Murphy]
|
17977
|
The exemplar view of concepts says 'dogs' is the set of dogs I remember
[Murphy]
|
17978
|
We do not learn concepts in isolation, but as an integrated part of broader knowledge
[Murphy]
|
17975
|
There is no 'ideal' bird or dog, and prototypes give no information about variability
[Murphy]
|
17976
|
Prototypes are unified representations of the entire category (rather than of members)
[Murphy]
|
18691
|
The prototype theory uses observed features, but can't include their construction
[Murphy]
|
18687
|
Concepts with familiar contents are easier to learn
[Murphy]
|
18688
|
Some knowledge is involved in instant use of categories, other knowledge in explanations
[Murphy]
|
18689
|
People categorise things consistent with their knowledge, even rejecting some good evidence
[Murphy]
|
18690
|
Induction is said to just compare properties of categories, but the type of property also matters
[Murphy]
|
17980
|
The main theories of concepts are exemplar, prototype and knowledge
[Murphy]
|
17979
|
Research shows perceptual discrimination is sharper at category boundaries
[Murphy]
|
17982
|
Exemplar theory struggles with hierarchical classification and with induction
[Murphy]
|
17981
|
Children using knowing and essentialist categories doesn't fit the exemplar view
[Murphy]
|
17984
|
Conceptual combination must be compositional, and can't be built up from exemplars
[Murphy]
|
17987
|
The concept of birds from exemplars must also be used in inductions about birds
[Murphy]
|
17983
|
The prototype theory handles hierarchical categories and combinations of concepts well
[Murphy]
|
17985
|
Prototypes theory of concepts is best, as a full description with weighted typical features
[Murphy]
|
17986
|
Learning concepts is forming prototypes with a knowledge structure
[Murphy]
|