Depression and category learning.
This article explores the relationship between depression and category learning. We predicted that depression would impair categorization performance on criteria-attribute tasks, which require systematic hypothesis testing, but not on family-resemblance tasks, which allow processing strategies that are likely preserved in depression. These predictions were confirmed in 2 experiments using different stimuli, tasks, and S populations. We discuss some implications of the empirical connections among depression, the use of less sophisticated cognitive strategies, and category learning.
Smith
J D
JD
Psychology Department, State University of New York, Buffalo 14260.
Tracy
J I
JI
Murray
M J
MJ
D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D004193:Discrimination Learning; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011340:Problem Solving; D012153:Retention, Psychology