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Prototype theory is a psychological theory that explains how people categorize objects, concepts, and experiences. It was first proposed by Eleanor Rosch in the 1970s as an alternative to the traditional class-inclusion theory. According to prototype theory, categories are not defined by necessary and sufficient features, but rather by a central, or prototypical, member. This prototype serves as a standard against which all other members of the category are compared.

For example, consider the category of "furniture." A chair is a prototypical member, as it is the most common and representative example of furniture. Other items like a sofa or a table are also considered furniture, but they are less central to the category. This theory suggests that members of a category are judged based on their similarity to the prototype, with more similar members being judged as better examples of the category.

Prototype theory has been influential in various fields, including cognitive psychology, linguistics, and artificial intelligence. It has helped explain phenomena such as typicality effects, where people are faster and more accurate in recognizing prototypical members of a category. However, the theory has also been critiqued for its reliance on intuitive notions of prototypicality and for not providing a clear mechanism for how prototypes are formed and maintained. Despite these criticisms, prototype theory remains a valuable framework for understanding categorization and concept formation.