more from Susan A. Gelman

Single Idea 15690

[catalogued under 18. Thought / D. Concepts / 4. Structure of Concepts / a. Conceptual structure]

Full Idea

Properties that enter into causally meaningful links are better remembered and are treated as more central to the category than properties that are not causally meaningful.

Gist of Idea

Causal properties are seen as more central to category concepts

Source

Susan A. Gelman (The Essential Child [2003], 05 'Causation2')

Book Reference

Gelman,Susan A.: 'The Essential Child' [OUP 2005], p.116


A Reaction

This is a summary of considerable psychological research. This account not only sounds plausible, but would fit better withy why we form concepts and categories in the first place. We are trying to relate to the causations of nature.