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# Procedural learning in perceptual categorization

## Details

**Authors** Ashby et al.

**Year** 2003

**Publisher** Memory & Cognition

**Discipline** Cognitive Science

[Read it at the publisher](https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03196528) 
10.3758/BF03196528

## In authors' words

### What they set out to do (purpose)

To discuss procedural learning within perceptual categorization

### What they found (results)

In discussing the two types of category structures, the article suggests that the formation of these category structures developed due to a survivalistic need for a quick response to the environment.

## Commentary

### In short

Categorization of objects and information developed through making distinctions and forming a physical relationship to them, resulted in categorization.

### In more detail

Ashby et al 2003 discusses procedural learning within perceptual categorization. For the first experiment they did, “there were three experimental conditions: control, hand switch, and button switch. In all the conditions, the observers depressed the two response keys with their index fingers, and trial-by-trial feedback was provided.” For the hand-switch condition, the observers began the first 500 trials with their hands crossed on the buttons, and for the button-switch condition, the buttons used to make the category response were reversed for the last 100 trials. For the second experiment, the procedures were the same as in the first experiment, except for the following: “Each participant in the unidimensional conditions completed 5 blocks of trials (with 50 trials per block), and the change in response instructions occurred after Block 3 for all the conditions. Each participant in the diagonal conditions completed 12 blocks of training (50 trials per block) during the first experimental session. The second session occurred approximately 24 hours later. The procedure during the second session was identical to that of the single sessions used in Experiment 1. Finally, the diagonal/ hand-switch condition was omitted.” In discussing the two types of category structures, the article suggests that the formation of these category structures developed due to a survivalistic need for a quick response to the environment. Using examples like safe food and poisonous food, and the motor response of seeing a snake and then

20 While categorization is a term more associated with part-whole Systems, it is also important to note that in order to categorize, one must not only see objects as groupable into part-whole structures but also make Distinctions between or among groups of types of objects.

jumping backwards, they showed that the categorization of objects and information developed through making distinctions and forming a physical relationship to them, resulted in categorization.

**Patterns it shows** D, S, R, P

**How to cite this** Ashby et al. (2003). Procedural learning in perceptual categorization. Memory & Cognition.