title: Feature-based versus category-based induction with uncertain categories.
abstract: Previous research has suggested that when feature inferences have to be made about an instance whose category membership is uncertain, feature-based inductive reasoning is used to the exclusion of category-based induction. These results contrast with the observation that people can and do use category-based induction when category membership is known. The present experiments examined the conditions that drive feature-based and category-based strategies in induction under category uncertainty. Specifically, 2 experiments investigated whether reliance on feature-based inductive strategies is a product of the lack of coherence in the categories used in previous research or is due to the use of a decision-only induction procedure. Experiment 1 found that feature-based reasoning remained the preferred strategy even when categories with relatively high internal coherence were used. Experiment 2 found a shift toward category-based reasoning when participants were trained to classify category members prior to feature induction. Together, these results suggest that an appropriate conceptual representation must be formed through experience with a category before it is likely to be used as a basis for feature induction.
authors: School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. oren.griffiths@unsw.edu.au
authors: Oren
authors: O
authors: Griffiths
authors: Brett K
authors: BK
authors: Hayes
authors: Ben R
authors: BR
authors: Newell
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001245:Association Learning; D002965:Classification; D003210:Concept Formation / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005793:Generalization, Psychological; D006801:Humans; D007600:Judgment; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011336:Probability; D013334:Students; D035501:Uncertainty; D014495:Universities