Inherence is an aspect of psychological essentialism

Behav Brain Sci. 2014 Oct;37(5):486-7. doi: 10.1017/S0140525X13003695.

Abstract

Inherence is not a distinct construct from psychological essentialism; it is one of several underlying beliefs. I propose that inherence is only one entry point to the perception of an essence and posit that context may influence which aspects of essentialist reasoning precede inferring an essence. I also discuss how psychological essentialism can uniquely account for violations of category-based expectancies.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Cognition*
  • Concept Formation*
  • Humans
  • Learning*
  • Logic*