The Processing Model In Perceptual Similarity: The Roles Of Stucture And Feature In Similarity Comparison

Similarity is a central component of many cognitive processes. There are main three models of similarity processes: Spatial model, Feature model, and the Structural model, which contains feature-based processes or structural-based processes. Gentner(1983) claims that similarity judgments invoked structural alignment and that this promoted relational responding in subsequent one-shot, cross-mapping task; however, other researches indicate similarity must not necessarily involve structural alignment. Current research suggests that similarity is a pluralistic process rather than a unitary process. The current research employed one-shot mapping technique in both two experiments. Experiments 1 set up two variables of task order and time pressure, noted subjects relation responses. Experiments 2 present subjects with two kinds of pictures, which vary in the notability degree of feature or structure. The reaction time and relational responses were noted. The results show there is no significant difference between similarity judgments and relational responding in mapping task. The feature-based process and the structural-based process are two parallel processing models in similarity processes. And there is a high correlation between relational responding and similarity rate.