Categorization
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| + | '''Categorization''' is the ability and activity of recognizing [[shared]] features or similarities between the elements of the [[experience]] of the world (such as [[Object (philosophy)|objects]], events, or [[idea]]s), organizing and classifying experience by associating them to a more abstract group (that is, a category, class, or type), on the basis of their traits, features, similarities or other criteria that are [[Universal (metaphysics)|universal]] to the group. Categorization is considered one of the most fundamental [[cognitive abilities]], and as such it is studied particularly by [[psychology]] and [[cognitive linguistics]]. | ||
| - | '''Categorization''' is the process in which ideas and objects are recognized, differentiated, and understood. Categorization implies that objects are grouped into categories, usually for some specific purpose. Ideally, a category illuminates a [[Binary relation|relationship]] between the [[subject (philosophy)|subject]]s and [[object (philosophy)|object]]s of knowledge. Categorization is fundamental in language, prediction, [[inference]], decision making and in all kinds of environmental interaction. It is indicated that categorization plays a major role in [[computer programming]]. | + | Categorization is sometimes considered synonymous with classification (cf., [[Classification (general theory)#Synonyms and near-synonyms|Classification synonyms]]). Categorization and classification allow humans to organize things, objects, and ideas that exist around them and simplify their understanding of the world. Categorization is something that humans and other organisms ''do'': "doing the right thing with the right ''kind'' of thing." The activity of categorizing things can be nonverbal or verbal. For humans, both concrete objects and abstract ideas are recognized, differentiated, and understood through categorization. Objects are usually categorized for some adaptive or pragmatic purposes. |
| - | There are many categorization theories and techniques. In a broader historical view, however, three general approaches to categorization may be identified: | + | Categorization is [[symbol grounding problem|grounded]] in the features that distinguish the category's members from nonmembers. Categorization is important in learning, prediction, [[inference]], [[decision making]], language, and many forms of organisms' interaction with their environments. |
| - | * Classical categorization | + | |
| - | * Conceptual clustering | + | |
| - | * Prototype theory | + | |
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| - | ==The classical view== | + | |
| - | :''[[Categories (Aristotle)]] | + | |
| - | '''Classical categorization''' first appears in the context of [[Western Philosophy]] in the work of [[Plato]], who, in his [[Statesman (dialogue)|Statesman]] dialogue, introduces the approach of grouping objects based on their similar [[Property (philosophy)|properties]]. This approach was further explored and systematized by [[Aristotle]] in his [[Categories (Aristotle)|Categories]] treatise, where he analyzes the differences between [[Class (philosophy)|class]]es and [[Object (philosophy)|object]]s. Aristotle also applied intensively the classical categorization scheme in his approach to the [[classification]] of living beings (which uses the technique of applying successive narrowing questions such as "Is it an animal or vegetable?", "How many feet does it have?", "Does it have fur or feathers?", "Can it fly?"...), establishing this way the basis for [[natural kind|natural]] [[Taxonomy (biology)|taxonomy]]. | + | |
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| - | The classical [[Aristotelianism|Aristotelian]] view claims that categories are discrete entities characterized by a set of properties which are shared by their members. In [[analytic philosophy]], these properties are assumed to establish the conditions which are both [[necessary and sufficient condition]]s to capture meaning. | + | |
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| - | According to the classical view, categories should be clearly defined, mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive. This way, any entity of the given classification universe belongs unequivocally to one, and only one, of the proposed categories. | + | |
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| - | ==Conceptual clustering== | + | |
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| - | '''Conceptual clustering''' is a modern variation of the classical approach, and derives from attempts to explain how knowledge is represented. In this approach, [[Class (philosophy)|class]]es (clusters or entities) are generated by first formulating their conceptual descriptions and then classifying the entities according to the descriptions. | + | |
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| - | Conceptual clustering developed mainly during the 1980s, as a [[machine learning|machine]] paradigm for [[unsupervised learning]]. It is distinguished from ordinary [[Cluster analysis|data clustering]] by generating a concept description for each generated category. | + | |
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| - | Categorization tasks in which category labels are provided to the learner for certain objects are referred to as supervised classification, [[supervised learning]], or [[concept learning]]. Categorization tasks in which no labels are supplied are referred to as unsupervised classification, [[unsupervised learning]], or [[Cluster analysis|data clustering]]. The task of supervised classification involves extracting information from the labeled examples that allows accurate prediction of class labels of future examples. This may involve the [[abstraction]] of a rule or concept relating observed object features to category labels, or it may not involve abstraction (e.g., [[Exemplar theory|exemplar model]]s). The task of clustering involves recognizing inherent structure in a data set and grouping objects together by similarity into classes. It is thus a process of ''generating'' a classification structure. | + | |
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| - | Conceptual clustering is closely related to [[fuzzy set]] theory, in which objects may belong to one or more groups, in varying degrees of fitness. | + | |
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| - | ==Prototype theory== | + | |
| - | :''[[Prototype theory]] | + | |
| - | Since the research by [[Eleanor Rosch]] and [[George Lakoff]] in the 1970s, categorization can also be viewed as the process of grouping things based on [[prototype]]s—the idea of necessary and sufficient conditions is almost never met in categories of naturally occurring things. It has also been suggested that categorization based on prototypes is the basis for human development, and that this learning relies on learning about the world via [[embodied cognition|embodiment]]. | + | |
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| - | A [[cognition|cognitive]] approach accepts that natural categories are graded (they tend to be [[fuzzy concept|fuzzy]] at their boundaries) and inconsistent in the status of their constituent members. | + | |
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| - | Systems of categories are not objectively "out there" in the world but are rooted in people's experience. Conceptual categories are not identical for different cultures, or indeed, for every individual in the same culture. | + | |
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| - | Categories form part of a hierarchical structure when applied to such subjects as [[Taxonomy (biology)|taxonomy]] in [[biological classification]]: higher level: life-form level, middle level: generic or [[genus]] level, and lower level: the [[species]] level. These can be distinguished by certain traits that put an item in its distinctive category. But even these can be arbitrary and are subject to revision. | + | |
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| - | Categories at the middle level are perceptually and conceptually the more salient. The generic level of a category tends to elicit the most responses and richest images and seems to be the psychologically basic level. Typical taxonomies in zoology for example exhibit categorization at the [[embodied cognition|embodied]] level, with similarities leading to formulation of "higher" categories, and differences leading to differentiation within categories. | + | |
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| - | == Miscategorization == | + | |
| - | Miscategorization can be a [[Fallacy|logical fallacy]] in which diverse and dissimilar objects, concepts, entities, etc. are grouped together based upon illogical common denominators, or common denominators that virtually any concept, object or entity have in common. A common way miscategorization occurs is through an over-categorization of concepts, objects or entities, and then miscategorization based upon characters that virtually all things have in common. | + | |
| == See also == | == See also == | ||
| * [[Categorical perception]] | * [[Categorical perception]] | ||
| + | * [[Classification (general theory)]] | ||
| * [[Library classification]] | * [[Library classification]] | ||
| * [[Multi-label classification]] | * [[Multi-label classification]] | ||
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| * [[Statistical classification]] | * [[Statistical classification]] | ||
| * [[Symbol grounding problem]] | * [[Symbol grounding problem]] | ||
| + | * [[Characterization (mathematics)]] | ||
| + | * [[Knolling]] | ||
| {{GFDL}} | {{GFDL}} | ||
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"splitters make very small units – their critics say that if they can tell two animals apart, they place them in different genera … and if they cannot tell them apart, they place them in different species. … Lumpers make large units – their critics say that if a carnivore is neither a dog nor a bear, they call it a cat."--"The Principles of Classification and a Classification of Mammals" (1945) George G. Simpson |
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Categorization is the ability and activity of recognizing shared features or similarities between the elements of the experience of the world (such as objects, events, or ideas), organizing and classifying experience by associating them to a more abstract group (that is, a category, class, or type), on the basis of their traits, features, similarities or other criteria that are universal to the group. Categorization is considered one of the most fundamental cognitive abilities, and as such it is studied particularly by psychology and cognitive linguistics.
Categorization is sometimes considered synonymous with classification (cf., Classification synonyms). Categorization and classification allow humans to organize things, objects, and ideas that exist around them and simplify their understanding of the world. Categorization is something that humans and other organisms do: "doing the right thing with the right kind of thing." The activity of categorizing things can be nonverbal or verbal. For humans, both concrete objects and abstract ideas are recognized, differentiated, and understood through categorization. Objects are usually categorized for some adaptive or pragmatic purposes.
Categorization is grounded in the features that distinguish the category's members from nonmembers. Categorization is important in learning, prediction, inference, decision making, language, and many forms of organisms' interaction with their environments.
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See also
- Categorical perception
- Classification (general theory)
- Library classification
- Multi-label classification
- Pattern recognition
- Statistical classification
- Symbol grounding problem
- Characterization (mathematics)
- Knolling
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