THE CLASSIFICATION OF INSTANCES OF FOUR COMMON CLASS CONCEPTS BY CHILDREN AND ADULTS*

Abstract

S ummary . Dispositional views of conceptual thinking suggest the need for a descriptive study of the ways in which normal subjects of various ages classify familiar objects. The sortings and explanations of 303 children, aged 5–11 years, and forty‐two adults, aged 18–73 years, in grouping pictures of common objects, were analysed. The explanations were classified for both form and content. Five methods of explanation were distinguished, only two of which are recognised in logic. There were four main types of content, the most numerous at all ages being those concerned with spatial position and activity. The main developmental changes were found in methods of explanation. Older adults perform more like children than younger adults.

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