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Single Idea 15688

[from 'The Essential Child' by Susan A. Gelman, in 18. Thought / D. Concepts / 4. Structure of Concepts / d. Concepts as prototypes ]

Full Idea

On prototype views, categories are characterized by distance from a prototype.

Gist of Idea

Categories are characterized by distance from a prototype

Source

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

Book Reference

Gelman,Susan A.: 'The Essential Child' [OUP 2005], p.109


A Reaction

Gelman observes that this view makes no reference to any causal features of things. This cuts them off from using underlying essences in the process of categorisation and concept-formation. How do you spot a prototype, with no category?