| This page is part of the ongoing |
| Project Categorization |
| Aristotelian category |
| Categorization |
| Category |
| Category boundaries |
| Fuzziness |
| Vagueness |
| Levels of categorization |
| Basic level |
| Category-wide attribute |
| Collective function |
| Subordinate level |
| Superordinate level |
| Parasitic categorization |
| Prototype category |
| Bad member |
| Degree of membership |
| Extension |
| Flexible adaptability |
| Goodness of exemplar |
| Good member |
| Informational density |
| Inheritance |
| Radial structure |
| Structural stability |
| Taxonomy |
| Class inclusion |
| Degree of generality |
| Expert taxonomy |
| Folk taxonomy |
| Multiple parenting |
| Scientific taxonomy |
A category-wide attribute is the primary feature of a superordinate level category, which serves as an abstract but defining feature of the basic level categories that are included in the superordinate level. Category-wide attributes are typically salient aspects of the experience of, or interaction with the stimuli that serves as basis of the basic level categories.
Some examples are:
- The category-wide attribute of FURNITURE is LARGE MOVABLE OBJECT THAT MAKES A ROOM SUITABLE FOR LIVING.
- The category-wide attribute of VEHICLE is USED IN ORDER TO TRANSPORT PEOPLE AND OBJECTS.
- The category-wide attribute of ANIMAl is ANIMATE LIFE FORM.
- The category-wide attribute of PLANT is INANIMATE LIFE FORM THAT GROWS OUT OF THE EARTH.
Category-wide attributes allow the conceptualizer to highlight the functionally most salient features of basic level categories.
Bibliography[]
- Ungerer, Friedrich & Hans-Jörg Schmid (1996). An Introduction to Cognitive Linguistics. London: Longman.