When asked to think of a bird, a 4-year-old imagines Big Bird from Sesame Street. This is more an exemplar than a prototype.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An exemplar is a specific example that someone associates with a concept or category, while a prototype is an average or typical representation of that category. In this case, Big Bird is a specific example that the 4-year-old associates with birds, making it an exemplar.

When Asked to Think of a Bird, a 4-Year-Old Imagines