In cognitive science, prototype-matching is a theory of pattern recognition that describes the process by which a sensory unit registers a new stimulus and compares it to the prototype, or standard model, of said stimulus. Unlike template matching and featural analysis, an exact match is not expected for prototype-matching, allowing for a more flexible model. An object is recognized by the sensory unit when a similar prototype match is found.
The theory of multiple discrimination scaling has advanced prototype-matching and other template-matching theories.1
References
References
- Galotti, K. M. (2008). Cognitive psychology: in and out of the laboratory. (4 ed.). USA: Michele Sordi.
- Discriminative feature integration by individuals, D.A. Booth, R.P.J. Freeman. Acta Psychologica Volume 84, Issue 1, October 1993, Pages 1-16, https://doi.org/10.1016/0001-6918(93)90068-3