The future of infant categorization research: A process-oriented approach

We call for a shift from a content-oriented approach to a process-oriented approach to the study of categorization in infancy. Although gains have bee n made in our understanding of infant categorization by evaluating the cate gories to which infants respond, further understanding of infant categoriza tion, and how categorization changes with development, requires that we mor o directly assess infants' category formation. We argue that two directions for future research will continue to enhance our understanding of categori zation in infancy land beyond). First, contextual variations (e.g., the eff ects of task, stimuli, and other factors) on infants' categorization must b e better understood. Second, we must more directly evaluate the kinds of in formation infants use when forming categories, as well as how their use of such information changes with age, task, and so forth. We argue that these two foci will provide clearer understanding of the origins and early develo pment of categorization.