Eleanor Rosch

Categories are not arbitrary collections of features; they are structured in terms of prototypes.

The world is not unstructured prior to the imposition of human concepts.

Prototypes are not necessarily the 'best' examples, but rather the most representative.

Basic level categories are those that are most informative and most easily accessed.

Categorization is not just about similarity; it's also about goal-directedness and functional utility.

The mind is not a passive recipient of information, but an active constructor of meaning.

Our understanding of the world is deeply intertwined with our bodily experience.

Cognition is not just about abstract symbols; it's about situated action.

The boundaries of categories are often fuzzy and context-dependent.

Meaning is not inherent in words, but is constructed through interaction.

The world is not just 'out there'; it's also 'in here,' shaped by our cognitive structures.

Prototypes serve as cognitive reference points for categories.

Basic level categories are the most efficient for communication and learning.

Categorization is a fundamental cognitive process that allows us to make sense of the world.

The human mind is remarkably flexible in its ability to form and use categories.

Our experience of the world is not neutral; it is always interpreted through our conceptual frameworks.

Concepts are not static entities, but dynamic and context-sensitive.

The structure of categories reflects the structure of our interactions with the world.

Prototypes are not just mental representations; they are also culturally influenced.

The 'naturalness' of categories is not arbitrary, but grounded in our perceptual and motor systems.