Category-specific effects on the identification of non-manipulable objects

Abstract

Theories of category-specific effects on visual object identification predict easier identification of non-living than living objects. The Sensory–Functional theory credits greater representational weighting of the visual properties of living objects independent of greater weighting of the functional properties of non-living objects. It predicts a lost or reversed non-living advantage for non-manipulable objects. Normal participants matched pictures of non-manipulable objects with words describing three levels of identity while visual object similarity, and concept familiarity were controlled. Consistent with the Sensory–Functional theory, living objects were matched faster than non-living objects. Concept familiarity facilitated subordinate matches. Visual similarity hampered subordinate matches and facilitated basic matches.