Prototyptheori
Prototyptheori, often referred to as **prototype theory**, is a philosophical and cognitive framework that describes how concepts and categories are understood in the human mind. Unlike classical theories that define categories by necessary and sufficient conditions, prototype theory suggests that people categorize objects, ideas, or experiences based on their resemblance to a best example—or prototype—within a given category. This approach was introduced by psychologist Eleanor Rosch in the 1970s and has since influenced fields such as cognitive science, linguistics, and artificial intelligence.
At its core, prototype theory posits that categories are not rigidly defined but are instead graded in
The theory has practical applications in understanding language acquisition, decision-making, and even machine learning algorithms. In