Principles of categorization
Prototype theory posits that there are two basic principles that guide the formation of categories in the human mind: (1) the principle of cognitive economy, and (2) the principle of perceived world structure. These principles together give rise to the human categorisation system.
Principle of cognitive economy
This principle states that an organism, like a human being, attempts to gain as much information as possible about its environment while minimising cognitive effort and resources. This cost-benefit balance drives category formation. In other words, rather than storing separate information about every individual stimulus experienced, humans can group similar stimuli into categories, which maintains economy in cognitive representation.
Principle of perceived world structure
The world around us has correlational structure. For instance, it is a fact about the world that wings most frequently co-occur with feathers and the ability to fly (as in birds), rather than with fur or the ability to breathe under water. This principle states that humans rely upon correlational structure of this kind in order to form and organise categories.
