Final answer:
A concept, as defined by cognitive psychologists, is a mental category created based on shared properties of objects or ideas. They help organize our experiences and thoughts and come in the form of both natural and artificial concepts. Schemata and prototypes are related to how we structure and recall these concepts.
Step-by-step explanation:
As cognitive psychologists use the term, a concept is a (c) Mental category of objects or ideas based on shared properties. Concepts serve as mental 'file cabinets' that categorize and organize linguistic information, images, memories, and ideas, to help make sense of our experiences and to keep information accessible. These concepts can either be natural concepts, formed through personal experiences (like one's understanding of snow from living in a place where it snows heavily), or artificial concepts, defined by a specific set of characteristics (like mathematical formulas or geometric shapes).
Moreover, psychologists study schemata, which are clusters of related concepts. Schemata simplify complex thought patterns and routines, facilitating seamless interaction in various social situations and everyday activities. Another important aspect of concepts is prototypes, which are the best or most typical examples of a concept that come to mind, influenced largely by personal experiences.