Prototypical forms

Prototypical forms refer to specific examples that embody the most typical features of a category or concept. Think of them as the "ideal" or most representative instance—like a classic coffee cup being the prototypical example in the category of cups. These forms help us easily recognize and categorize similar items by comparing them to this mental standard. They are important in understanding how we organize knowledge mentally and make quick judgments about new or unfamiliar objects based on their resemblance to the prototype.