Question

Which of the following statements about the exemplar theory of categorization is most correct?

1) It suggests that we integrate all new experiences with members of a category into our average.
2) It is supported by the finding that a single experience with an object among hundreds of other experiences can influence categorization.
3) How recently a similar object was encountered is the only influence on the speed with which the object will be categorized.
4) It is unable to explain why some objects are categorized more quickly than other objects in the same category.

Answer 1

The correct statement about the exemplar theory is that it is supported by findings that even a single, unique experience can influence how we categorize objects, which aligns with the theory's emphasis on individual examples affecting categorization.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most correct statement about the exemplar theory of categorization is the second option: It is supported by the finding that a single experience with an object among hundreds of other experiences can influence categorization. This theory proposes that we categorize new experiences by comparing them with a group of individual examples or instances that we have encountered previously in a given category. Unlike prototype theory, which suggests that we compare new stimuli with an idealized average representation of a category, the exemplar theory accounts for the fact that our categorization can be influenced by specific examples, especially those that are unique or recently encountered.

The other options provided are less accurate in describing the exemplar theory. While how recently an object was encountered or the speed of categorization can be affected by exemplars, these are not the only factors. Moreover, the exemplar theory can indeed explain why some objects are categorized more quickly than others based on our specific experiences and therefore is not unable to explain variations in categorization speed.