[A test of the focusing hypothesis for category judgment: an explanation using the mental-box model]

Shinrigaku Kenkyu. 2011 Jun;82(2):132-40. doi: 10.4992/jjpsy.82.132.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

This paper presents a new model of category judgment. The model hypothesizes that, when more attention is focused on a category, the psychological range of the category gets narrower (category-focusing hypothesis). We explain this hypothesis by using the metaphor of a "mental-box" model: the more attention that is focused on a mental box (i.e., a category set), the smaller the size of the box becomes (i.e., a cardinal number of the category set). The hypothesis was tested in an experiment (N = 40), where the focus of attention on prescribed verbal categories was manipulated. The obtained data gave support to the hypothesis: category-focusing effects were found in three experimental tasks (regarding the category of "food", "height", and "income"). The validity of the hypothesis was discussed based on the results.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Judgment*
  • Male
  • Models, Psychological*
  • Young Adult