In the context of cognitive verbs, what does "classify" mean?

In the context of cognitive verbs, "classify" specifically refers to the action of grouping items based on shared characteristics or properties. This process involves assessing various objects, concepts, or pieces of information and determining how they relate to one another through common traits. By classifying, one can create organized categories that make it easier to understand, analyze, and retrieve information.

For example, in a biology class, students may classify animals into groups like mammals, reptiles, and birds based on their shared traits such as warm-bloodedness or the presence of feathers. This not only helps in learning but also enhances critical thinking skills by encouraging students to evaluate and compare different items based on specific attributes.

The other choices represent different actions that do not align with the concept of classifying. Analyzing items without categorization focuses on understanding the elements but lacks the organization that comes with classification. Memorizing items in random order does not involve grouping or understanding relationships. Summarizing without hierarchy fails to provide structure or organization, which is essential for classification.