Chapter 84. Concept Formation

Learning Objectives

concept

a mental category or method of grouping similar objects, people, events, or ideas

memory

the process of remembering information that has been learned

prototype

the best example of a concept for a particular person

retrieval

getting information out of memory storage so it can be used

thinking

active process of manipulating concepts or mental images to solve problems or make decisions

working memory

another name for short-term memory; emphasizes active processing of information

Concept Formation

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Illustration: Show 16 small objects, arranged at random on the screen (not in a grid pattern); 8 of the objects represent the concept “drinking cup”, and show 8 different styles of mug or cup or beer stein, in a number of different colors. Do not show two cups or mugs together. The other 8 objects represent the concept “sports ball”, and show 8 different round objects used in sports. The cups and balls should be intermingled on the screen

Learning Objectives:

Describe the value of concepts in thinking and problem solving.

Contrast the two major ways that concepts are formed and stored in memory.

Review

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1. The world around us contains so many objects, events, and people that our working memory capacity quickly becomes overwhelmed. We simplify the world by forming concepts, which are mental groupings of things that are similar to each other, such as “cups” or “balls.”

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Photo: Group of dogs of different sizes and breeds

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2. Concepts are powerful tools for thinking. For example, the concept "dog" allows us to consider the common characteristics of all dogs rather than to retrieve our memories of the individual dogs we have seen.

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Illustration: Show a jigsaw puzzle with one piece missing; a piece that would clearly fit in the missing location is positioned nearby

3. Concepts are so useful that researchers consider them to be the basic building blocks of thinking. When we think, we manipulate concepts to solve problems or make decisions.

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The image includes a diagram of a neuron on the left side of the screen. The axon, dendrites, cell body, and axon terminals are labeled in the cell. On the right side of the screen are the rules for what characterizes a neuron. These rules include the following: belongs to the category of “cell”; is a part of the nervous system; contains subparts, such as the cell body, dendrites, axon, and axon terminals; and the function is to communicate messages.

4. Some technical concepts (such as "neuron") are formed by a definition or set of rules that specify the characteristics of a particular category. These rules allow you to determine precisely whether a new object fits into that category.

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5. Other concepts refer to more familiar categories such as “tree” or “fruit.” These concepts were probably formed in childhood by developing a prototype, or best example, for that category. Even though these concepts have formal definitions, we prefer to use our prototype to judge whether a new object is a member of that category.

Practice 1: Defining Concepts for Shapes

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Practice 1: Defining Concepts for Shapes

Roll over each shape to see the set of rules that define that shape.

Concepts are mental groupings of things that are similar in some way. Some concepts are formed by learning the set of rules that define a particular category. The geometric objects shown here are all examples of the general concept of a polygon.

Rules defining each shape:

Pentagon: Any five-sided polygon. The sum of the internal angles is 540 degrees.

Rhombus: A four-sided polygon in which every side has the same length, and opposite sides are parallel. The sum of the internal angles is 360 degrees.

Polygon: Three or more straight line segments in the same plane, each connected end to end to form a closed shape.

Equilateral triangle: A three-sided polygon in which every side has the same length. The sum of the internal angles is 180 degrees.

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Practice 2: Forming a New Concept

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Practice 2: Forming a New Concept

Make a guess about this card. Then, select the “Show the Next Card” button.

You will see a set of 12 cards, one at a time. Some of the cards are jarabins and the rest are hoolugs. You must guess which cards belong to the category "jarabins," and you will get feedback after each guess. After all the cards have been displayed, we will explain the rule that defines the fictional concept "jarabin."

The rule that defines the concept "jarabin" is very simple. Jarabins are cards that have stars on them. The color doesn't matter, and the number of objects doesn't matter.

Now, select the NEXT button and move to Practice 3.

Feedback

This table shows your guess statistics

Correct guesses	100
Errors	100

Practice 3: Refining a Concept

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Practice 3: Refining a Concept

Make a guess about this card. Then select the “Show the Next Card” button.

What if we came across a new problem that required us to reclassify some jarabins as belonging to a different category? Once again you will see a set of 12 cards, one at a time. Some of the cards are belladons, and some are hoolugs. You must guess which cards belong to the category "belladons," and you will get feedback after each guess. After all the cards have been displayed, we will explain the rule that defines the fictional concept "belladon."

The rule that defines the concept "belladon" is a little more complex. Belladons are cards that have more than two objects on them. The color doesn't matter, and the shape of the objects doesn't matter.

Now, select the NEXT button and move to Quiz 1.

Feedback

This table shows your guess statistics

Correct guesses	100
Errors	100

Quiz 1

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Quiz 1

Drag each card to the gray area above the appropriate concept name. When all the cards have been placed, select the CHECK ANSWER button.

Select the NEXT button and move to Quiz 2.

Perhaps you should go back to review the principles of concept formation.

Jarabin

Belladon

Hoolug

The quiz has six cards presented at the top of the screen. From left to right, these cards can be described as follows: Card 1 - four yellow crosses; Card 2 - three red triangles; Card 3 - two yellow squares; Card 4 - two green stars; Card 5 - one blue star; and Card 6 - one green circle. The cards should be placed into their appropriate concept name: jarabin, belladon, or hoolug. Two cards should be placed into each concept.

Quiz 2

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Quiz 2

Complete each sentence about a concept. For each concept, indicate whether it is more likely to have been formed as a definition (set of rules) or a prototype (best example of the concept) by dragging each label to the appropriate gray area that completes the sentence. When all the labels have placed, select the CHECK ANSWER button.

Select the NEXT button and move to the Conclusion.

Perhaps you should go back to review the principles of concept formation.

definition

prototype

The concept of "bird" was probably formed as a:

The concept of "democracy" was probably formed as a:

The concept of "triangle" was probably formed as a:

The concept of "tree" was probably formed as a:

Conclusion

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Congratulations!

You have completed
Concept Formation