Answer to Question 1
Answer: When exemplars are activated they influence how information is categorized. For instance, Allen and Brooks (1991) found that positive-match exemplars were correctly categorized 81 percent of the time but that negative-match exemplars were correctly categorized only 56 percent of the time.
Answer to Question 2
Answer: Knowledge about characteristics of a group helps us categorize information. Once we know information about a category we can make inferences about objects, events, etc. Knowledge of different contexts and past events influences our actions. Knowledge of what to expect can also influence our perceptions as well as direct our attention. Knowledge of words, syntax, and connotation allows us to understand language. Knowledge impacts our decision making, planning, problem solving, and reasoning.