Full Idea
Nothing in the prototype model says the shape of an animal is more important than its location in identifying its kind. The theory does not provide a way the features can be constructed, rather than just observed.
Gist of Idea
The prototype theory uses observed features, but can't include their construction
Source
Gregory L. Murphy (The Big Book of Concepts [2004], Ch. 6)
Book Reference
Murphy,Gregory L.: 'The Big Book of Concepts' [MIT 2004], p.183
A Reaction
This makes some kind of mental modelling central to thought, and not just a bonus once you have empirically acquired the concepts. We bring our full range of experience to bear on even the most instantaneous observations.