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Transformation and representation in similarity.

Hodgetts, Carl J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0339-2447 2010. Transformation and representation in similarity. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.

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Abstract

Similarity, being a psychological notion, involves the comparison of finite object representations. The specific nature and complexity of these representations is a matter of fierce theoretical debate traditionally, similarity research was dominated by the spatial and featural account. In the spatial account, similarity is determined by the distance between objects in a psychological space. Alternatively, the featural account proposes that similarity is determined by matching objects' features. Despite the empirical success of these accounts, the object representations they posit are regarded too simple and specific to deal with more complex objects. Therefore, two structural accounts have been developed: structural alignment (SA) and Representational Distortion (RD). This aim of this thesis was to further establish one particular structural account RD as a general framework for understanding the similarity between object representations. Specifically, RD measures similarity by the complexity of the transformation that "distorts" one representation into the other. This RD approach is investigated in detail by testing a detailed set of transformational predictions (coding scheme) within a rich stimulus domain. These predictions are tested through experiments and modelling that utilise both a) explicit measures (ratings, forced-choice), and, for the first time, b) implicit measures (reaction time, same-different errors & spontaneous categorisation). Moreover, RD is compared empirically with both traditional and alignment models of similarity. Overall, the results suggest that similarity can be best understood by transformational relationships in a number of contexts. The performance of RD in both explicit and implicit measures is made more compelling by the fact that rival accounts fundamentally struggle to describe the sorts of relationships that are easily captured by RD. Finally, it is emphasised that RD is actually compatible with supposedly rival approaches and can incorporate theoretically these accounts, both traditional and structural, under one general framework.

Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
Status: Unpublished
Schools: Psychology
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
ISBN: 9781303195853
Funders: European Union
Date of First Compliant Deposit: 30 March 2016
Last Modified: 25 Oct 2022 08:44
URI: https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/54397

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