While trying to learn what a dog is, Arash mentally compares every animal to his family's new puppy. If the animal is similar enough, he decides that it is also a dog. Arash's puppy serves as a _______________ for the concept of dog.
A)proposition
B)heuristic
C)concept
D)prototype
E)placeholder

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Arash's puppy serves as a prototype for the concept of a dog. A prototype is a mental image or best example of a category. By comparing other animals to his puppy, Arash is using his puppy as the standard or typical example to identify other dogs.

While Trying to Learn What a Dog Is, Arash Mentally