To categorization theorists, the categorization of objects is often considered using taxonomies with three hierarchical levels of abstraction. For example, a plant could be identified at a high level of abstraction by simply labeling it a flower, a medium level of abstraction by specifying that the flower is a rose, or a low level of abstraction by further specifying this particular rose as a dog rose. Categories in a taxonomy are related to one another via class inclusion, with the highest level of abstraction being the most inclusive and the lowest level of abstraction being the least inclusive. The three levels of abstraction are as follows: Superordinate level, Genus (e.g., Flower) - The highest and most inclusive level of abstraction. Exhibits the highest degree of generality and the lowest degree of within-category similarity. Basic Level, Species (e.g., Rose) - The middle level of abstraction. Rosch and colleagues (1976) suggest the basic level to be the most cognitively efficient. Basic level categories exhibit high within-category similarities and high between-category dissimilarities. Furthermore, the basic level is the most inclusive level at which category exemplars share a generalized identifiable shape. Adults most-often use basic level object names, and children learn basic object names first. Subordinate level (e.g., Dog Rose) - The lowest level of abstraction. Exhibits the highest degree of specificity and within-category similarity.
to categorization theorists the categorization of objects is often considered using taxonomies with three hierarchical levels of abstraction for example a plant could be identified at a high level of abstraction by simply labeling it a flower a medium level of abstraction by specifying that the flower is a rose or a low level of abstraction by further specifying this particular rose as a dog rose categories in a taxonomy are related to one another via class inclusion with the highest level of abstraction being the most inclusive and the lowest level of abstraction being the least inclusive the three levels of abstraction are as follows superordinate level genus (eg flower) - the highest and most inclusive level of abstraction exhibits the highest degree of generality and the lowest degree of within-category similarity basic level species (eg rose) - the middle level of abstraction rosch and colleagues (1976) suggest the basic level to be the most cognitively efficient basic level categories exhibit high within-category similarities and high between-category dissimilarities furthermore the basic level is the most inclusive level at which category exemplars share a generalized identifiable shape adults most-often use basic level object names and children learn basic object names first subordinate level (eg dog rose) - the lowest level of abstraction exhibits the highest degree of specificity and within-category similarity