Category learning and multiple memory systems

Trends Cogn Sci. 2005 Feb;9(2):83-9. doi: 10.1016/j.tics.2004.12.003.

Abstract

Categorization is a vitally important skill that people use every day. Early theories of category learning assumed a single learning system, but recent evidence suggests that human category learning may depend on many of the major memory systems that have been hypothesized by memory researchers. As different memory systems flourish under different conditions, an understanding of how categorization uses available memory systems will improve our understanding of a basic human skill, lead to better insights into the cognitive changes that result from a variety of neurological disorders, and suggest improvements in training procedures for complex categorization tasks.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Classification
  • Cognition*
  • Discrimination Learning*
  • Humans
  • Memory / classification*