Categorization is Basic definitions, types, methods

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

The world around us is structural. Knowledge of ontology, the experience of cognition and interaction with its components says that the reality around us is not chaotic, but ordered. All its parts represent a set of stable connections and ensure the overall integrity of the picture of the world.

Definition

Thinking processes reflecting the discreteness of the world are different categories.

Categorization is a process of cognition that refers the object or phenomenon under study to a certain category by generalizing and identifying common properties.

Process

By categorizing reality, human consciousness compares its sensations and the objective variety of forms of matter, and its movement into certain groups. Cognition of the surrounding world and the process of its comprehension is carried out through the establishment of connections based on common features when comparing new experience with the past. The new experience is systematized by the consciousness and correlates with the ideological formations formed before. The result of the work of deep cognitive and mental processes is the formation of a categorization system.

Development history and main theories

Data categorization has occupied the minds of scientists for centuries. The beginning was laid in ancient Greece by Aristotle and Plato. They made a significant contribution to the formation and development of the modern concept of the categorization process. Among the many approaches and methods, only two theories can be distinguished that have retained their relevance today: classical and prototypical.

Classical theory has been used since ancient times. Plato believed that it is necessary to classify objects according to common properties, and Aristotle, in turn, supplemented his idea. He represented the category as an abstract receptacle, where all the elements belonging to this group are collected. It has a clear outline, and all its components have the same properties and equal position for all.

Prototype theory developed in the 20th century thanks to the psychologist E. Roche. He criticized the concept of the equality of the elements of the category. Instead, he suggested introducing the definitions "center", "periphery of the category" and "prototype". The prototype meant the best element, which was in the central position. And the least characteristic components were placed on the periphery.

Categorization and classification

Many believe that this is one concept only under different names. At first glance, these ways of organizing information are really similar. But they have differences that reflect different processes.

A class is a collection of objects and phenomena,grouped according to certain characteristics and rules. Class boundaries are clear and well-defined. Therefore, an object can relate to it only if it has the necessary properties and features.

Classification is the assignment of an object to a class according to a set of features. A good example of this process is the classification of living organisms in biology or the system of elements in chemistry.

Unlike a class, a category defines only general properties, characteristics, and the relationship between them. Its boundaries are vague and inaccurate. One category can only be understood in comparison with others.

Categorization is the definition of objects into categories based on common features.

Methods of systematization

At the moment, there are three methods for categorizing images, objects and phenomena:

1. Analytical and descriptive. Includes groups based on the similarity of certain features or details. For example, leopard and leggings - the presence of spots.
2. Thematic. Combinations of elements formed on a functional relationship and in certain situations. For example, blackboard and desks - school.
3. Categorically final. Groups of components created by generalizing reasoning using selected objects as an example of a certain category. For example, housing, clothing.

Cognitive categorization

At the heart of the human thought process, the reflection of objective reality by the senses, movements, actions and speech is categorization. She playsimportant role for cognitive science. When a person observes something as a version of another, thinks or thinks about something, he interacts with categories and structures them.

Social distribution

A person can structure not only objects, images and phenomena, but also images of other people. To do this, in our minds there is a special categorical grid, in each cell of which certain categories are located: cute, evil, good-natured, lazy, selfish, handsome, cool.

When meeting a new person, our brain "scans" the stranger and puts them in certain categories. For example, a stranger helped carry packages from the store. This means that in our minds he will be fixed as a kind, sympathetic, sensitive person. Although it may not be.

We are very worried when it is not possible to immediately record a person in any cells. Usually in these cases they say: "I can't understand what kind of person he is", "I just can't figure him out".

On the other hand, when a person is in a category, but his behavior does not correspond to it, it is very difficult to recognize this and transfer him to another cell. For example, a person is perceived as caring, but his behavior expresses a careless attitude. You cannot admit to yourself that he is an egoist. Instead, excuses and defenses will be used: "he is actually good, it's just a period, and in general, two years ago he helped me solve a serious problem."

Social categorization- assignment of a person to specific types, classes and categories. For example, a child is an adult, a man is a woman, smart is stupid.

Categories of Feelings

It is possible to systematize not only objects, data, phenomena and images. The categorization of emotions is a group of behaviors and states of a person:

1. Patience is a strong experience of negative emotions. These include: resentment, anger, hatred, disgust, pain, suffering, irritation, rage, horror, fear.
2. State - the spatial presence of a person inside emotions. For example, being in high spirits. This category also applies to physical well-being (a state of fatigue). It includes: apathy, fun, serenity, inspiration, falling in love, depression, indifference, excitement, carelessness, admiration, tenderness, sadness, dejection, joy, jealousy, embarrassment, anxiety.
3. Ability - emotions available to everyone to study, but not everyone can perceive them in full. They have a subjective feature inherent in a particular person. For example, "only she is able to love like that." This category includes: love, sadness, hatred, delight, fear, fun, indignation, resentment, grief, anxiety, despair.
4. Experience - a state of mind caused by any strong experiences and emotions. For example, "survived grief", "survived parting." The category includes such emotions as delight, annoyance, love, fear, longing, grief, anxiety,shock, admiration, excitement, humiliation, confusion. They are short-lived and often accompany an important stage in life that has been successfully completed.
5. Test - a difficult experience, life's difficulties and hardships. For example, "experience pain." This category includes: anxiety, bliss, indifference, excitement, pride, grief, anger, pleasure, hope, love, resentment, grief, jealousy, sympathy, sorrow, despondency, triumph, torment, tenderness.
6. Feeling - physical, mental, emotional and moral. For example, a sense of hunger, a sense of humor. It has six sub-categories: sense of state, consciousness, attitude, feeling, ethics, and testing.

Many emotions appear in several categories at the same time. This is due to the most complex physiological and psychological structure of a person who is able to simultaneously experience several emotions. Categorization is the structuring of feelings according to the ways of manifestation.

Culture and Personality

Each person perceives the world around him individually. This process in the form of ideas and behavior patterns was laid from childhood, forming a mental program. The sources of such programs are the culture and society in which the socialization of a person takes place. The categorization of cultures is expressed in the methods of influence on the individual by society:

1. Power distance is the role different cultures place on power relationships between people. In high-distance cultures, the holders of authority (boss,parent, a person of the older generation) is respect and obedience. In societies with a low power distance, equality between people and personal independence are of great importance.
2. Individualism and collectivism. In collectivist cultures, group and family goals and interests are placed above individual ones. The group dominates the individual, and the place of a person in society is determined by his place in the social hierarchy. An individualistic culture puts the interests of the individual ahead of the goals of the group. A person must take care of himself and his family. In such a society, a person belongs to several groups at once, for this reason loy alty to them is small, and rivalry and competition are preferred to cooperation.
3. Masculinity and femininity - the degree of expression of gender roles in society. In masculine cultures, the emphasis is on power, independence, competition, material success, a clear separation of male and female roles. Children are encouraged to be ambitious, competitive, and self-presenting. And the most valuable thing in work is the result. In feminine cultures, the main role is given to emotional connections between people, caring for others, and the development of social policy. In such societies, the demonstration of gender differences is not accepted. Children develop a sense of unity and meekness. Work is rewarded on the principle of equality.
4. Uncertainty avoidance - the level of possible deviations from generally accepted standards and values. In cultures with a high level of uncertainty, unknown situations provoke stress, fear, and high levels of aggression. Change is perceivedas a threat to the usual way of life, fear for the future. Laws, rules and regulations are needed for all occasions in order to feel safe. Clear goals, detailed tasks and tight deadlines are preferred. Cultures with low levels of avoidance are risk-averse and unafraid of uncertain situations, so they are more stress-resistant and less afraid of change. Prefer unusual situations that provide new opportunities. Unpredictability sees the potential for further development. Initiative and willingness to take risks are valued.

Categorization is the ability of our consciousness to order the world, to systematize the observed, to find similarities and differences of some objects from others. This is one of the tools for understanding the world, thanks to which the development of man and society takes place.