Figure 3
Measuring the strength of categorical encoding (reference conditions). (a) Timeline of average responses to the four family objects in each block (black dots) and responses to the outlier object (purple dots) for an example participant in the Same Color condition, where categorical encoding was very strong (94%). The dotted black and purple lines represent the correct average spring length for the family and correct spring length for the outlier object, respectively. (b) In blocks 12–22, strong categorical encoding attracts the average response to the outlier (purple dot; purple dashed line shows true weight) toward the regression line through the responses to the family objects (purple solid line). The regression line is also pulled upwards toward the true weight of the outlier (dotted black line shows the true size-weight relationship for the family). (c) The strength of categorical encoding for each of 20 participants in the Same Color condition, ranked in ascending order (purple dot is the example participant). (d–f) Same as panels a-c, but for the Distinct Colors condition, where categorical encoding was weaker. The example participant in (e) exhibited 17% categorical encoding.
