title: Prior categorization can produce more efficient ordering.
abstract: We hypothesized that prior categorization of an attribute might sometimes facilitate the ordering of stimuli, particularly when the number of stimuli is relatively large or some of them need to be remembered. In four experiments, participants were required to rank order either numbers or line lengths either using a selection sort or following prior categorization. The results indicated that prior categorization produced faster sorting when the number of stimuli to be ordered was relatively large and when the stimuli were not continuously visible.
authors.affiliation: a Psychology Department , University of Canterbury , Christchurch , New Zealand.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kemp
authors.affiliation: a Psychology Department , University of Canterbury , Christchurch , New Zealand.
authors.forename: Randolph C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Grace
mesh_terms: D001245:Association Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D003210:Concept Formation / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007600:Judgment / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000502:physiology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013334:Students; D014495:Universities
keywords: Categorization; Category rating; Ordering; Sorting