Abstract: A study was made among 72 children from 4—9 years of age on the classification of various objects (depicted on cards), falling into several categories.The objects could be divided according to different categories of varying levels e.g. (a) at the lowest level, birds, fish, etc. could be grouped separately, and (b) at the second level, they were classified as "animal", a higher level of abstract conception.Each child was asked: (1) to sort according to his own ideas of classification; (2) to pick up the cards according to specified classifications; and (3) to give the generic name to previously sorted cards.The results showed that:1. The percentage of correct responses rose with increasing age for both levels.2. In general, the children were more successful in the second task than in the first; and they were better in the first task than in the third.3. Variations in successful performance were shown in different age groups. For the first level, in all the tasks, the greatest variation was shown in the age groups 4—5 and 5—6, while for the second level, the most marked difference was shown in the 7—8 age group in the second task.4. Differences were also found in the classification for the same level as regards different objects. The classification of such objects as tables and chairs was superior to that of objects such as vegetables and fruit.

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