Dynamic Concepts and Functionality: The Influence of Multiple Representations and Environmental Constraints on Categorization

摘要

This article expands upon the episodic memory model delineated by Richards and Goldfarb. Previous research and observation are used to suggest that concepts should be viewed as dynamic and context-sensitive rather than as static prototypes or lists of defining features. The attributes representing a concept at a given time are claimed to be determined by spreading activation. It is also argued that the functionality rule suggested by Richards and Goldfarb indirectly influences the categorization behavior of both children and adults, and that this influence is also controlled by spreading activation.