Categorization in the Preschool Period

Abstract

Categorization is a fundamental cognitive process whereby one can perceive and represent readily discriminable entities (e.g., a husky and a German shepherd) as similar or the same in some fundamental ways (i.e., both are dogs). Because of the foundational role and numerous advantages of categorization in cognition, the development of the ability to learn, represent, and use categories has been studied since the inception of the field of cognitive development. This entry provides a brief overview of the historical and contemporary theoretical approaches to categorization during the preschool period, of methods used to study categorization in young children, and of major findings in this area of research.