According to the concept of prototypes, how do we decide whether an item belongs to a particular category?

A) We count how many defining characteristics of the category it has.
B) We consult a memorized list of which items belong to the category.
C) We compare the item to the most typical members of the category.
D) We compare the features of the item to a precise definition of the category.

According to the concept of prototypes, we decide whether an item belongs to a particular category by comparing it to the most typical or representative members of the category. This is because we form mental images of the most common or typical examples of a category, which serve as a prototype or standard for comparing new items. So, the item that is closest to the prototype is most likely to be considered a member of the category. Options A, B and D are not correct as they do not explain the idea of prototypes accurately.