Final answer:
The three qualities that contribute to the functionality of a category are the correlation between characteristics, contribution to larger systems, and distinctiveness in terms of clear definitions and boundaries within a social or biological context.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is related to understanding the qualities that contribute to the functional or closed category. The functional groups or categories in a society or an entity have several qualities that justify their existence and make them more 'real' and identifiable. Among these qualities, three can be outstanding:
- Correlation between characteristics: A quality that makes a category more functional is the correlation between different attributes of entities. If entities can be grouped based on multiple correlated traits, it makes their categorization stronger and more meaningful.
- Contribution to larger systems: Functional categories often benefit a larger social structure or entity. For instance, in a cultural context, belonging to a category serves functions like providing camaraderie and social cohesion.
- Distinctiveness: To be functionally significant, a category needs to exhibit clear distinctions from other categories. This distinctiveness is observed in social structures, biological classifications, and various other systems.