Statistical classification is a method used in data analysis to categorize items into predefined groups based on their characteristics. This technique employs algorithms to analyze data and identify patterns, allowing for the prediction of group membership for new observations. Common applications include spam detection in emails and image recognition in photos. In statistical classification, various algorithms can be utilized, such as decision trees, support vector machines, and neural networks. Each algorithm has its strengths and weaknesses, making it essential to choose the right one based on the specific data and classification task at hand.