Final answer:
A poodle is considered a prototype, which is the mental image or best example of a concept, like the category of dogs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Because it embodies the characteristics commonly associated with dogs, a poodle is considered a (C) Prototype. A prototype is essentially the mental image or the best example that comes to mind when thinking about a particular category or concept. In the context of dogs, whatever breed or type of dog you first became familiar with often becomes your prototype for all dogs. So, if you grew up with a poodle, your brain is likely to use that as the prototype when you think about or are asked to imagine a dog.
It's important to distinguish this from other options provided. An algorithm is a step-by-step procedure for calculations or problem-solving. A heuristic is a mental shortcut that allows people to solve problems and make judgments quickly and efficiently. A phoneme is the smallest unit of sound in a language, and a concept is a general idea of something but not a detailed example of it, which is what a prototype represents.