We more quickly recognize that a blue jay is a bird than that a penguin is a bird because a blue jay more closely resembles our ________ of a bird.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A prototype is a mental image or best example that incorporates all the features we associate with a category. Blue jays are a more typical representation of a bird than penguins, which may not match our mental image of a bird as closely due to their unique characteristics such as their inability to fly and tuxedo-like appearance.

We More Quickly Recognize That a Blue Jay Is a Bird