Subjects in a study are asked to press a left-hand key if the image on a computer screen is a bird or a right-hand key if it is not a bird, and to respond as quickly as possible. On any given trial, they may see a bird or some other image (e.g., window, car, pencil, cow, flower, paintbrush, etc.). On one trial, an image of a penguin is flashed on the screen and a subject responds by pressing the "not a bird" key. This error could be explained by _______ theory, specifically by using the argument that a penguin does not resemble a typical bird.
A) transfer
B) prototype
C) feature
D) exemplar

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Prototype theory suggests that people categorize objects and concepts based on a mental image or the most typical example of a particular category. In this case, the subject might have pressed the "not a bird" key because a penguin does not closely resemble their prototype (or most typical example) of a bird, which likely includes features such as flying, having feathers, and a certain body shape that a penguin does not match.

Subjects in a Study Are Asked to Press a Left-Hand