Language often uses categorical values (e.g., red, pink) when science provides continuous values (e.g,. rgb[255,0,0], rgb[255,0,125]). I presented participants with colors across a red (rgb[255,0,0]), purple (rgb[255,0,255]), and blue (rgb[0,0,255]) spectrum and explored whether remembered colors were assimilated towards prototypical colors (red, pink, purple, blue). This was the case for different shades of pink but it is uncertain whether this was due to the categoryhypothesis being correct, computer screens being unable to present colors correctly, or other reasons. The study’s code and data are available online (https://osf.io/86zv9/).
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Lukas Röseler (2024) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: