A Comparison Of Inference Learning And Classification Learning In Category Learning

Laboratory studies of category acquisition limit to categorization task, where there are several types of category learning, such as inference, problem solving and explaining, and etc, So category theory on the basis of classification study can not applied to other nonclassification types of category learning. Recent researches have suggest that classification learning and inference learning are different in nature. On the basis of these conclusions, we hypothesis that classification learners are sensitive to diagnostic information, that is between-category information, where inference learners focus on prototypical information, that is whin-category information. we test this hypothesis though two experiments.Our research consists of two experiment. In both two experiments, learners study two categories(category A and category B) through classification or inference, then ebter into test phase after they reach certain learning criterion. In experiment one, we present pairs of testing stimulus and ask participants to select a more typical A from them,and then participants are asked to draw pictures of a typical A and a typical B.In experiment two, participants are told to rate typicality for the testing stimulus presented alone.these testing stimulus are different in diagnosticity or prototipicality.We want to study what effects that diagnostic information or prototypical information have on classifiation learning and inference leaning. The results were as follows:...