Question

Which of the following statements about prototype theory is FALSE?

1) According to prototype theory, you would categorize new category members by comparing them to all the prototypes you have stored for that category.
2) A prototype describes an internal representation that can be compared to new stimuli in order to categorize them.
3) A prototype describes the ideal or average member of a category.
4) Prototypes are heavily dependent upon the experiences of an individual.

Answer 1

The false statement about prototype theory is the claim that new category members are compared to all prototypes stored for that category. Instead, only central prototypes are typically used for comparison.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement about prototype theory that is FALSE is: 'According to prototype theory, you would categorize new category members by comparing them to all the prototypes you have stored for that category.' Prototype theory suggests that an individual does not compare a new member to all prototypes. Instead, several key or central prototypes are used as reference points. A prototype indeed describes an internal representation (a mental image or best example) that serves as a benchmark for comparing new stimuli to existing categories. It is generally considered the ideal or most typical member of a category. Prototypes also reflect individual experiences, making them somewhat subjective. Hence, the correct answer is (1), as the other statements are true and align with the principles of prototype theory.