Typicality Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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typicality

[ˌtɪpɪˈkælɪti ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

in psychology

The degree to which something is representative of a particular category or class. It refers to how closely an object or event matches a mental representation of a concept.

Synonyms

conformity, prototypicality, representativeness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
typicality	Refers to the degree to which something is considered standard or usual for a category. The typicality of Italian cuisine includes pasta and pizza This painting captures the typicality of Renaissance art
representativeness	Used when emphasizing how well something or someone stands for a larger group or concept. The survey's results lacked representativeness due to a small sample size His views are not of high representativeness for the entire community
conformity	Better suited for situations involving adherence to rules, standards, or social norms, often with a neutral to negative connotation depending on context. The school's dress code demands strict conformity Conformity to social norms can sometimes suppress individuality
prototypicality	More appropriate when discussing something as an original model or most representative case within a category. The sports car's sleek design is the prototypicality of modern engineering She exhibits the prototypicality of a great leader

Examples of usage

The typicality of a prototype can influence how quickly people categorize new items.
In cognitive psychology, typicality is often used to study how people make judgments and decisions.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

in statistics

The extent to which a data point or observation fits within the overall pattern of a dataset. It is a measure of how closely a data point aligns with the central tendency of the data.

Synonyms

alignment, congruence, fittingness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
typicality	Used to refer again to the concept of being representative or expected in a given category or situation. This repetition might imply reinforcement of the term's usage in multiple scenarios. The study aimed to understand the typicality of social media habits among teenagers. Her approach to problem-solving showed the typicality of an experienced engineer.
fittingness	Describes how appropriate or suitable something is for a given situation. It focuses on relevance and suitability, often in a more subjective sense. The fittingness of her attire for the formal event was noted by everyone. He questioned the fittingness of the joke given the seriousness of the occasion.
alignment	Often used in organizational, mechanical, or personal contexts to indicate agreement or proper arrangement according to a standard or goal. The team's alignment with the company's mission made the project a success. We need to check the alignment of the wheels to ensure a smooth ride.
congruence	Used in mathematical, psychological, or philosophical contexts to describe agreement, harmony, or compatibility between elements. The congruence between their stories made the case convincing. In geometry, congruence means that two shapes are identical in form and size.

Examples of usage

Outliers may have low typicality within a dataset.
Typicality can be assessed using measures like z-scores or standardized residuals.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Typicality influences how we categorize objects or ideas, impacting our decision-making and memory.
Studies show that people recognize typical examples of a category faster than atypical ones, illustrating how our brains process information.

Linguistics

In language, typicality helps us understand how often certain words or structures are used within specific contexts, aiding fluency and comprehension.
Descriptive linguistics often highlights typicality through frequency patterns, showing the most common usage in language over time.

Culture

Cultural representations often rely on typicality to convey common values or traits through media such as film and literature.
In art, typicality can guide how we understand character roles or themes, influencing viewer expectations and interpretations.

Education

In educational contexts, understanding typicality can help teachers assess where students fall on a learning scale, identifying common strengths and weaknesses.
Lessons often incorporate examples of typicality to illustrate concepts, making abstract ideas more relatable.

Origin of 'typicality'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the Greek word 'typos', meaning 'a blow' or 'a mark', which evolved into meaning something representative.
In the 19th century, 'typicality' became more mainstream in English, especially in discussions about psychology and social sciences.

The word 'typicality' originates from the word 'typical,' which comes from the Late Latin word 'typicus' and the Greek word 'typikos,' meaning 'of or pertaining to a type.' The concept of typicality has been explored in various fields, including psychology, statistics, and cognitive science, to understand how objects and data points relate to representative categories and patterns.

See also: atypical, atypically, typically, typicalness.