Categories require an implicit theory of why members belong together

Evidence

Although similarity is without question an important feature on which the categorization process relies, more recent work has shown that similarity alone is not sufficient for fully understanding the categorization process. In other words, a category consists of more than a simple listing of the features that are shared by category members. The category must also provide some intuitive theory, some rationale, some explanation as to why these category members belong to the same category, that is, some causal means for understanding how and why these features are related to each other (Murphy & Medin, 1985). — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 1382 (#expands, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: No one can absorb facts without an implicit theory to organize them — Nina Eliasoph, Avoiding politics: how Americans…, 1101; Transformation happens by assuming shared categories rather than questioning them. — Farhan Samanani, Conviviality and its others: for a…, 47; Static categories only partly explain identity positioning — Mary Bucholtz and Kira Hall, Identity and Interaction: A…, 46 (+6 more)

Broader Connections

• Categories require an intuitive theory linking features, not just shared similarities #expands (0.95) — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 1382