Exemplar representation without generalization? Comment on Smith and Minda's (2000) "Thirty categorization results in search of a model"

J. D. Smith and J. P. Minda (2000) conducted a meta-analysis of 30 data set s reported in the classification literature that involved use of the "5-4" category structure introduced by D. L. Medin and M. M. Schaffer (1978). The meta-analysis was aimed at investigating exemplar and elaborated prototype models of categorization. In this commentary, the author argues that the m eta-analysis is misleading because it includes many data sets from experime ntal designs that are inappropriate for distinguishing the models. Often, t he designs involved manipulations in which the actual 5-4 structure was not , in reality, tested, voiding the predictions of the models. The commentary also clarifies various aspects of the workings of the exemplar-based conte xt model. Finally, concerns are raised that the all-or-none exemplar proces ses that form part of Smith and Minda's (2000) elaborated prototype models are implausible and lacking in generality.