category learning

category learning

1. example of cognitive approach to learning - sees learning iinformation-processing

   • proposes that humans / non-humans learn general relationships i.e. concepts - demonstrated in dolphins

2. mechanism underlying CL could be hypothesis testing

   • Bruner et al found people used different strategies to learn categories
     • e.g. successive scanning - testing one category at a time and conservative focusing - trying to eliminate classes of hypotheses (latter strategy is faster)
       • study used abstract material so could be criticized for lacking ecological validity
         • Bruner found that more meaningful material interfered with underlying processes as a result of real world knowledge
           • Murphy and Allopenna used meaningful material found that relevant background knowledge was used to link attributes thematically

3. past experience is not always reliable - induction problem - which challenges the idea of hypothesis testing

   • alternative proposed by Fodor is that knowledge of categories is innate not learned - extreme view criticized on basis of knowledge develops and changes so learning must be involved
     • however, people may learn categories other than by hypothesis testing

4. important in emphasising role of cognitive processes in learning and demonstrating influence of past experience

   • raises questions about extent to which categories must be learned so suggests there may be different aspects to learning