Effects of Category-Learning on Categorization An Analysis of Inference-Based and Classification-Based Learning

It is widely acknowledged that categories have many functions, but few studies have actually addressed the impact of these functions on the way categories are learned. For instance, many categorization experiments predominantly rely on classification-based incremental learning. The problem with this approach is that it implicitly assumes that the function of categorization is separable from the way that categories are learned. In this study, we examined the relation between learning and the subsequent use of categories by contrasting three types of category-learning methods — inference-based, classification-based, and a combination of these methods. The results of the experiment indicate that there is an intricate relationship between category-learning and subsequent use of the category. The results further suggest that different processing modes may have been adopted by subjects in the different learning conditions

Alignability and Attribute Importance in Choice

When people choose between two alternatives, like between two colleges, some of the available information is comparable across the alternatives (alignable) and some is noncomparable (nonalignable). For example, when comparing colleges, the academic reputation of both schools may be known (alignable), while the quality of teaching may only be known for one school (nonalignable). Recent research has shown that people use more alignable than nonalignable information in decision making. In this experiment, we consider whether alignable information is preferred even when nonalignable information is important. In the study, some participants rated the importance and valence of a series of statements about colleges that differed in alignability. Other participants made choices between pairs of colleges whose descriptions incorporated these statements. The results indicate that alignable information is preferred to nonalignable information even when the nonalignable information is important. Results also showed that the interpretation of attribute valence depends on alignability. These observations suggest that alignability is more influential than attribute importance in the processing of choice information and that the use of alignable information may facilitate the interpretation of attribute information

The Role of Structural Alignment in Conceptual Combination

Many researchers have suggested that understanding novel noun phrases involves a process of conceptual combination in which people determine how two or more conceptsfittogether to form a new concept. One important way that people combine concepts is by property mapping, which involves asserting that a property of one concq)t is true of the other concept as in, "box that is striped" for "skunk box." A n experiment investigated the hypothesis that property mapping occurs by structural alignment in which mental representations are aligned or put into correspondence. T h e result of this process is primarily a set of matching elements (called commonalities) and a set of mismatching elements related to the commonalities (called alignable differences). The experiment compared property mapping definitions to the alignable differences listed by subjects in a comparison task which is known to involved structural alignment. Consistent with the hypothesis, there was a strong correspondence between property mapping definitions and alignable differences compared to another strategy in conceptual combination not thought to involve structural alignment (slot filling)

Whither structured representation?

The perceptual symbol system view assumes that perceptual representations have a role-argument structure. A role-argument structure is often incorporated into amodal symbol systems in order to explain conceptual functions like abstraction and rule use. The power of perceptual symbol systems to support conceptual functions is likewise rooted in its use of structure. On Barsalou's account, this capacity to use structure (in the form of frames) must be innate.</jats:p

Rethinking Supply Chains as Neighborhoods

This paper explores the implication of a neighborhood model for interfirm interactions that explicitly tries to create an equality matching relationship among firms in an industry. The aim is to examine what would happen if these firms worked to gain trust with each other with an eye toward maximizing the value of the collaboration across projects rather than just maximizing revenues in individual projects. A review of extant literature and an analysis of in-depth interviews yielded three actionable strategies that support the creation of a sustainable neighborhood in the construction industry: 1) Hub Strategy, 2) Trust Exercise Strategy, and 3) Sustainable Neighborhood Strategy. As envisioned in this study, the hub is a concentrated, inter-organizational structure for supply chain participants in large, complex projects. Importantly, hub members engage in a variety of technical activities that infuse ongoing and future projects with innovation, scope optimization, and operational efficiencies. Additionally, other activities within the hub are designed to purposefully allow participants to develop trust through collaboration before or outside of their primary contractual engagements. At present, this model has been examined for construction megaprojects, but the general neighborhood concept could be applied to many different industries and settings including manufacturing supply chains and collaborations among communities engaging in economic development. Future work will explore whether mechanisms like the hub and trust exercises can be applied in these other settings as well.IC2 Institut