In a pattern identification method in which input data is classified into predetermined classes by sequentially executing a combination of a plurality of classification processes, at least one of the classification processes includes a mapping step of mapping the input data in an N (N≧2) dimensional feature space as corresponding points, a determination step of determining whether or not to execute the next classification process based on the corresponding points, and selecting step of selecting a classification process to be executed next based on the corresponding points when it is determined in the determination step that the next classification process should be executed.