The more closely an item matches our prototype of a natural concept, the more quickly we can classify it as an example of that concept.

Question

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This is a well-established concept in cognitive psychology known as prototype theory. A prototype refers to a mental representation of the typical or most representative features of a concept, based on our past experiences and knowledge. When we encounter an object, we compare it to our prototype of a concept, and the closer it matches the prototype, the more quickly and easily we can identify it as an example of that concept.

The More Closely an Item Matches Our Prototype of a Natural