Whether a whale is a fish or a mammal is an example of a

• A. fuzzy natural concept.
• B. superordinate concept.
• C. prototype.
• D. schema.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of 'fuzzy natural concept': This refers to categories that do not have clear boundaries, where membership is not always clear-cut. For example, a whale might be considered a fish by some due to its aquatic nature, but it is biologically a mammal.
2. Explore the idea of 'superordinate concept': This is a higher-level category that encompasses more specific subcategories. For instance, 'animal' is a superordinate concept that includes both 'fish' and 'mammal'.
3. Define 'prototype': A prototype is the best or most typical example of a category. In the context of mammals, a prototype might be a dog or a human, which are more typical examples than a whale.
4. Clarify 'schema': A schema is a cognitive framework or concept that helps organize and interpret information. It is a mental structure that represents some aspect of the world.
5. Determine which concept best fits the example: Consider how each of these concepts applies to the classification of a whale and decide which one best describes the situation where a whale is considered either a fish or a mammal.