Classical View of Categorization
A concept is defined by a set of necessary and sufficient features. If something has the right defining features, it’s in the category; if not, it’s out.
- Good for: categories with strict rules (e.g. “triangle” = three sides, closed figure)
- Problem: most natural categories don’t work this way (“game”, “bird” have fuzzy boundaries and graded membership)
Similarity-based but rule-like. Contrasts with Prototype View and Exemplar View.