Final answer:
It is true that saying "bless you" in response to a sneeze is a social norm rooted in historical and cultural practice, functioning as a prototype of common etiquette.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that when we automatically say "bless you" after someone sneezes, we are responding according to a prototype is True. In psychological terms, a prototype is a mental representation or an example of a particular category of behaviors or social customs. Saying "bless you" after a sneeze is a social norm that has been ingrained into many cultures as an automatic response. This prototype has evolved for various historic and cultural reasons, possibly related to superstitious beliefs or wishes for good health in the face of illness. Today, the practice continues more as a form of politeness or social etiquette than due to these original beliefs.
When we automatically say "bless you" after someone sneezes, we are responding according to a social norm, not a prototype. Saying "bless you" after a sneeze is a customary response in many cultures, and it is considered polite and a way to wish well on the person who sneezed.