Self-Review

Question

Answer

7.6. Key Points in Chapter Seven

What are categories?

Categories are equivalence classes: sets or groups of things or abstract entities that we treat the same.

(See §7.2, “The What and Why of Categories”)

What determines the size of the equivalence class?

The size of the equivalence class is determined by the properties or characteristics we consider.

(See §7.2, “The What and Why of Categories”)

Why do we contrast cultural, individual, and institutional categorization?

Cultural, individual, and institutional categorization share some core ideas but they emphasize different processes and purposes for creating categories.

(See §7.2, “The What and Why of Categories”)

What distinguishes individual categories?

Individual categories are created by intentional activity that usually takes place in response to a specific situation.

(See §7.2.2, “Individual Categories”)

What distinguishes institutional categories?

Institutional categories are most often created in abstract and information-intensive domains where unambiguous and precise categories are needed.

(See §7.2.3, “Institutional Categories”)

What is the relation between categories and classification?

The rigorous definition of institutional categories enables classification, the systematic assignment of resources ...

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