Assignment: Conceptualization
Exercise A. Referents of Concepts
In this exercise, you will be given a concept and asked to provide at least three referents for it. Please enlarge the space below the question to write your answer.
Example: Provide at least three referents for the following concept: PHILOSOPHER
Answer: Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Hume, Kant
1. Provide at least three referents for the following concept: TREE
2. Provide at least three referents for the following concept: COUNTRY
3. Provide at least three referents for the following concept: ARTIST
4. Provide at least three referents for the following concept: NUMBER
5. Provide at least three referents for the following concept: RIVER
6. Provide at least three referents for the following concept: SCIENTIST
7. Provide at least three referents for the following concept: MOUNTAIN
8. Provide at least three referents for the following concept: POLITICAL PARTY
9. Provide at least three referents for the following concept: UNIVERSITY
10. Provide at least three referents for the following concept: BOOK
Exercise B. Relativity of Abstractness
In this exercise, you will be given a pair of concepts and asked to determine which of them is more abstract or which is less abstract. Please circle the appropriate letter.
Example:Which of the following concepts is more abstract?
LOVE, EMOTION
a. LOVE
b. EMOTION
Answer: b
1. Which of the following concepts is more abstract?
LOVE, ROMANTIC LOVE
a. LOVE
b. ROMANTIC LOVE
2. Which of the following concepts is less abstract?
SCIENTIST, ASTRONOMER
a. SCIENTIST
b. ASTRONOMER
3. Which of the following concepts is more abstract?
VOLKSWAGEN, AUTOMOBILE
a. VOLKSWAGEN
b. AUTOMOBILE
4. Which of the following concepts is less abstract?
BOEING 777, AIRCRAFT
a. BOEING 777
b. AIRCRAFT
5. Which of the following concepts is more abstract?
AIRCRAFT CARRIER, SHIP
a. AIRCRAFT CARRIER
b. SHIP
6. Which of the following concepts is less abstract?
PSYCHOLOGICAL STATE, ANGER
a. PSYCHOLOGICAL STATE
b. ANGER
7. Which of the following concepts is more abstract?
OUTERWEAR, SWEATER
a. OUTERWEAR
b. SWEATER
8. Which of the following concepts is less abstract?
BIRD, CROW
a. BIRD
b. CROW
9. Which of the following concepts is more abstract?
APPLE, GALA
a. APPLE
b. GALA
10. Which of the following concepts is less abstract?
LITERATURE, FICTION
a. LITERATURE
b. FICTION
Exercise C. Levels of Abstractness
In this exercise, you will be given a group of concepts and asked to arrange them from the most to the least abstract or from the least to most abstract.Please enlarge the space below the question to write your answer.
Example:Arrange the following concepts from the most to the least abstract.
TREE, MAGNOLIA, PLANT
Answer: PLANT, TREE, MAGNOLIA
1. Arrange the following concepts from the most to the least abstract.
CHEMISTRY, BIOCHEMISTRY, ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, IMMUNOCHEMISTRY
2. Arrange the following concepts from the least to the most abstract.
QUADRILATERAL, RHOMBUS, PARALLELOGRAM, FIGURE
3. Arrange the following concepts from the most to the least abstract.
ELECTRIC GUITAR, GUITAR, STRINGED INSTRUMENT, MUSICAL INSTRUMENT
4. Arrange the following concepts from the least to the most abstract.
DOCTOR OF MEDICINE, PLASTIC SURGEON, PERSON, SURGEON, PROFESSIONAL PERSON
5. Arrange the following concepts from the most to the least abstract.
FLAVORED CORN CHIPS, SNACK FOOD, DORITOS, CORN CHIPS, FOOD
6. Arrange the following concepts from the least to the most abstract.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS, PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAM, NFL TEAM, SPORTS TEAM
7. Arrange the following concepts from the most to the least abstract.
DRAMA, COMEDY, LITERATURE, GREEK COMEDY
8. Arrange the following concepts from the least to the most abstract.
WHOLESALE, BUSINESS ACTIVITIES, TRADE, COMMERCE, ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES
9. Arrange the following concepts from the most to the least abstract.
REAL NUMBER, INTEGER, NATURAL NUMBER, WHOLE NUMBER, RATIONAL NUMBER
10. Arrange the following concepts from the least to the most abstract.
DOLPHIN, ORGANISM, VERTEBRATE, MAMMAL, ANIMAL
Exercise D. Definitions of Concepts
In these exercises, you will be given definitions and asked to identify what is wrong with them. The possible faults correspond to rules of definitions. Please circle at least one appropriate letter.
Example:Atoms are the type of matter that cannot be further subdivided.
a. it doesn't include a genus
b. it doesn't include a differentia
c. it is too broad
d. it is too narrow
e. it doesn't state the essential attributes of the referents
f. it is circular
g. it uses negative terms unnecessarily
h. it uses vague, obscure or metaphorical language
Answer: g
1. A TRAIN is a locomotor.
a. it doesn't include a genus
b. it doesn't include a differentia
c. it is too broad
d. it is too narrow
e. it doesn't state the essential attributes of the referents
f. it is circular
g. it uses negative terms unnecessarily
h. it uses vague, obscure or metaphorical language
2. A FORGERY is a fake painting
a. it doesn't include a genus
b. it doesn't include a differentia
c. it is too broad
d. it is too narrow
e. it doesn't state the essential attributes of the referents
f. it is circular
g. it uses negative terms unnecessarily
h. it uses vague, obscure or metaphorical language
3. A HOSTAGE is when you're held captive by another person or group trying to extract some concession from a third party.
a. it doesn't include a genus
b. it doesn't include a differentia
c. it is too broad
d. it is too narrow
e. it doesn't state the essential attributes of the referents
f. it is circular
g. it uses negative terms unnecessarily
h. it uses vague, obscure or metaphorical language
4. A BUMPER is the part of a car where you put a bumper sticker.
a. it doesn't include a genus
b. it doesn't include a differentia
c. it is too broad
d. it is too narrow
e. it doesn't state the essential attributes of the referents
f. it is circular
g. it uses negative terms unnecessarily
h. it uses vague, obscure or metaphorical language
5. A GIFT is a possession that is voluntarily transferred to another person.
a. it doesn't include a genus
b. it doesn't include a differentia
c. it is too broad
d. it is too narrow
e. it doesn't state the essential attributes of the referents
f. it is circular
g. it uses negative terms unnecessarily
h. it uses vague, obscure or metaphorical language
6. A LETTER is a form of written communication that is enclosed in an envelope.
a. it doesn't include a genus
b. it doesn't include a differentia
c. it is too broad
d. it is too narrow
e. it doesn't state the essential attributes of the referents
f. it is circular
g. it uses negative terms unnecessarily
h. it uses vague, obscure or metaphorical language
7. A PROSPEROUS person is one who is well off.
a. it doesn't include a genus
b. it doesn't include a differentia
c. it is too broad
d. it is too narrow
e. it doesn't state the essential attributes of the referents
f. it is circular
g. it uses negative terms unnecessarily
h. it uses vague, obscure or metaphorical language
8. A STRAIT is a narrow passage of water connecting two oceans.
a. it doesn't include a genus
b. it doesn't include a differentia
c. it is too broad
d. it is too narrow
e. it doesn't state the essential attributes of the referents
f. it is circular
g. it uses negative terms unnecessarily
h. it uses vague, obscure or metaphorical language
9. A STRIKE is a protest action by workers.
a. it doesn't include a genus
b. it doesn't include a differentia
c. it is too broad
d. it is too narrow
e. it doesn't state the essential attributes of the referents
f. it is circular
g. it uses negative terms unnecessarily
h. it uses vague, obscure or metaphorical language
10. A FORK is a four-pronged eating implement.
a. it doesn't include a genus
b. it doesn't include a differentia
c. it is too broad
d. it is too narrow
e. it doesn't state the essential attributes of the referents
f. it is circular
g. it uses negative terms unnecessarily
h. it uses vague, obscure or metaphorical language
11. An ASSASSINATION is the dynamic out-processing of a political leader or other prominent person.
a. it doesn't include a genus
b. it doesn't include a differentia
c. it is too broad
d. it is too narrow
e. it doesn't state the essential attributes of the referents
f. it is circular
g. it uses negative terms unnecessarily
h. it uses vague, obscure or metaphorical language
12. A GRACEFUL person is one who acts without clumsiness.
a. it doesn't include a genus
b. it doesn't include a differentia
c. it is too broad
d. it is too narrow
e. it doesn't state the essential attributes of the referents
f. it is circular
g. it uses negative terms unnecessarily
h. it uses vague, obscure or metaphorical language
13. JEALOUSY is when you resent someone for having something you want.
a. it doesn't include a genus
b. it doesn't include a differentia
c. it is too broad
d. it is too narrow
e. it doesn't state the essential attributes of the referents
f. it is circular
g. it uses negative terms unnecessarily
h. it uses vague, obscure or metaphorical language
14. A BANK is an institution for financial intermediation.
a. it doesn't include a genus
b. it doesn't include a differentia
c. it is too broad
d. it is too narrow
e. it doesn't state the essential attributes of the referents
f. it is circular
g. it uses negative terms unnecessarily
h. it uses vague, obscure or metaphorical language
15. A LUXURY is an economic good that is desirable but not inexpensive.
a. it doesn't include a genus
b. it doesn't include a differentia
c. it is too broad
d. it is too narrow
e. it doesn't state the essential attributes of the referents
f. it is circular
g. it uses negative terms unnecessarily
h. it uses vague, obscure or metaphorical language
16. A CHIMNEY is a vertical shaft extending through the roof of a building and through which, according to legend, Santa Claus delivers presents.
a. it doesn't include a genus
b. it doesn't include a differentia
c. it is too broad
d. it is too narrow
e. it doesn't state the essential attributes of the referents
f. it is circular
g. it uses negative terms unnecessarily
h. it uses vague, obscure or metaphorical language
17. To BORROW is to take temporary possession of something belonging to another.
a. it doesn't include a genus
b. it doesn't include a differentia
c. it is too broad
d. it is too narrow
e. it doesn't state the essential attributes of the referents
f. it is circular
g. it uses negative terms unnecessarily
h. it uses vague, obscure or metaphorical language
18. Radioisotopes are substances that are radioactive.
a. it doesn't include a genus
b. it doesn't include a differentia
c. it is too broad
d. it is too narrow
e. it doesn't state the essential attributes of the referents
f. it is circular
g. it uses negative terms unnecessarily
h. it uses vague, obscure or metaphorical language
19. Electrons have much less mass than protons or neutrons.
a. it doesn't include a genus
b. it doesn't include a differentia
c. it is too broad
d. it is too narrow
e. it doesn't state the essential attributes of the referents
f. it is circular
g. it uses negative terms unnecessarily
h. it uses vague, obscure or metaphorical language
20. Selectively permeable membranes are bouncers who check IDs and only let certain individuals into an establishment.
a. it doesn't include a genus
b. it doesn't include a differentia
c. it is too broad
d. it is too narrow
e. it doesn't state the essential attributes of the referents
f. it is circular
g. it uses negative terms unnecessarily
h. it uses vague, obscure or metaphorical language.