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Basic level
According to prototype theory, the level of category formation which is held to be optimal for human beings in terms of cognitive economy. This level of categorization provides a level of information at the mid-level of detail, between the most inclusive and least inclusive levels: the superordinate and the subordinate levels respectively. The basic level is associated with categories like car, dog and chair. The superordinate level (more inclusive) is associated with categories such as vehicle, animal and furniture. The subordinate level (less inclusive) is associated with categories such as sportscar, collie and rocking chair, respectively. The basic level also maximises differences between categories at the same level. For instance, a car is extremely distinct from a dog (both are at the basic level), whereas a collie is relatively less distinct from an Alsatian (both at the subordinate level). It has been claimed by Eleanor Rosch that categories formed at the basic level tend to emerge first both developmentally and in language acquisition, and categories at this level are most easily recognised and identified.
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- Category: Linguistics
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