categorical boundary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "categorical boundary" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing classifications, distinctions, or limits within a specific category or framework. Example: "In the study of social behavior, researchers often explore the categorical boundary between introverts and extroverts."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Animals made virtually no errors when categorizing the easiest (i.e. shortest and longest) intervals, but categorization performance declined as intervals approached the 1.5 second categorical boundary.

eLife

In categorical perception, differences between stimuli that cross a categorical boundary are perceived as greater than equal differences within a category.

SEP

Last, from a cognitive point of view, it may be that this anomaly is introduced by the crossing of a categorical boundary, which during adaptation confers an added degree of suppression upon representations on the other side of the boundary.

Plosone

With respect to the identification and discrimination tasks, we should find an explicit categorical boundary on the facial-stimuli continuum.

Cognition and Emotion

With this model the sensitivity of goodness-of-fit with respect to a variation of the categorical boundary was tested.

Carcinogenesis

Again, with the latter model the sensitivity of goodness-of-fit with respect to a variation of the categorical boundary was tested.

Carcinogenesis

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

The bounding boxes in the figure denote the categorical boundaries for the classes.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Some inventions sit in technological domains that cut across the categorical boundaries implied by examiners' patterns of specialization.

Research Policy

Many earlier studies used limited stimulus sets with definite categorical boundaries, such that nonwords were unambiguously large or small in terms of the component phonemes (e.g., Aveyard, 2012; Westbury, 2005).

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

21 subjects viewed two types of bi-stable images while we scanned the activity in their brains with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI); in one (intra-categorical type) the two percepts remained within the same category (e.g. face face) while in the other (cross-categorical type) they crossed categorical boundaries (e.g. face body).

NeuroImage

However, this research has been limited by stimulus sets with definite categorical boundaries (e.g., Aveyard, 2012; Westbury, 2005) which do not accurately reflect the variability inherent in naturally occurring language and the common use of a forced choice task to obtain size judgments (i.e., large or small; e.g., Klink, 2000, 2009; Sapir, 1929).

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "categorical boundary" to define the border between distinct categories in any classification system, ensuring clarity and accuracy in your communication.

Common error

Avoid using "categorical boundary" when a simple "distinction" or "difference" suffices. "Categorical boundary" implies a formal or well-defined classification, not just any difference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "categorical boundary" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to the dividing line or threshold that separates distinct categories. Examples in Ludwig illustrate its use in scientific and cognitive contexts, further supporting this functional analysis. Ludwig AI confirms that "categorical boundary" is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

90%

News & Media

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "categorical boundary" functions as a noun phrase signifying the dividing line between distinct categories. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for use in written English. It's most frequently used in formal scientific and academic contexts to describe cognitive processes, classifications, and conceptual distinctions. While alternatives like "classification limit" or "definitional limit" exist, "categorical boundary" offers a specific and precise term for expressing this concept. As Ludwig confirms, being mindful of its scope is essential to avoid overuse in contexts where simpler terms like "distinction" suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

classification limit

Focuses on the limit of a classification rather than the boundary itself.

definitional limit

Emphasizes the boundary as a limit to a definition.

conceptual division

Highlights the division of concepts rather than a physical boundary.

threshold for categorization

Specifies the threshold at which something is categorized.

category threshold

A more concise way of expressing the threshold for categorization.

dividing line between categories

Explicitly states the line that divides categories.

demarcation criterion

Refers to the criteria used for demarcation or separation.

classification threshold

Highlights the threshold for classification purposes.

cognitive cutoff

Focuses on the cognitive aspect of establishing a boundary.

sharp distinction

Highlights the distinct and clear nature of the boundary.

FAQs

How is "categorical boundary" used in cognitive science?

In cognitive science, "categorical boundary" describes the perceived division between categories, influencing how we discriminate between stimuli. It's often studied in relation to categorical perception, where differences across a boundary are exaggerated.

What's the difference between a "categorical boundary" and a simple distinction?

A "categorical boundary" implies a formalized and often cognitively reinforced division between categories, while a simple distinction might refer to any perceived difference, without necessarily implying a rigid boundary.

What are some alternative phrases to "categorical boundary" that I can use?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "classification limit", "definitional limit", or "conceptual division".

How does learning affect "categorical boundaries"?

Learning can shift or sharpen "categorical boundaries", influencing how easily and accurately we categorize information. Training or experience can lead to more distinct boundaries and improved discrimination.