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Feature

A feature is any property of a sensory stimulus. In this meaning, there are two main types of features: a local one, which is a characteristic of part of the stimulus, and a global one, which is a characteristic of the stimulus as a whole.

In a more scientific approach, a feature is a discrete (discontinuous) element of mental representation of knowledge with clearly defined boundaries. The reality is represented by a system of features and the relations between them. These features as well as relations must act simultaneously so that a meaning can be created. For example, the meaning that is attached to traffic lights results from the integration of features: the shape of the light signal, the color of the light, and, probably, some features of context. A proper meaning of information emerges only when these features are inherently related with each other. Other relations between them or lack of any feature give no meaning or, eventually, a completely different meaning; for example, one does not stop at the sight of a printed image of a red traffic light.

The modern word feature also refers to any of the characteristic elements of a face, like eyes, ears, mouth, nose, etc. Feature detector is specified for detecting specific features. These are individual neurons responding selectively to a particular feature, like an edge detector, a bar detector, or a cell responsible for facial recognition in the visual cortex. In earlier times, the French word faiture meant “feature” and the Latin words factura and facere, respectively, meant “a making” and “to make.”

Feature Theories and Models

Feature theories and models is the large group of conceptions that consider, in the process of categorization, examining individual features of an object or a concept and comparing them to the defined list of attributes of the prototype model from the class of objects or concepts. Definitional features are those that are held by all objects of a class and are necessary and sufficient to define some concept, for example, for the class of dogs, it is barking. Feature theories do not explain relations between features, which is regarded as their flaw.

Feature comparison model. Feature comparison model refers to a group of theories of concept formation, according to which the process of categorization of whether or not an object belongs to some class is made on the basis of comparative analysis of the features of the object with those of the class. For example, some object that is considered to be a bird belongs to the class of birds because it has features from the birds' class: it is a living organism, has wings, plumage, and so on.

Feature detection theory. Feature detection theory is also called feature abstraction theory and refers to a group of theories according to which a perception of an object is based on recognition of individual features and grouping them to a form of coherent, specific pattern. For example, if the object has four paws, pelage, and can bark, it must be a dog. Feature detection theory differs from feature comparison model by features operations: in detection theory, features of an object are gathered and then assembled into a coherent pattern, whereas in comparison model they are compared with a class.

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