A prototype is often defined as the central tendency or mean of the population. Because much research has shown that prototypes are preferred over nonprototypes, averaged or prototype faces should be preferred.
Experience is necessary to form a prototype of a face.
What we are born with is the information-processing strategy of averaging. Both theories suggest that a face with an average facial configuration should be preferred and that these preferences can be present very early in development. To learn more about why average faces are attractive, click here . To learn more about whether or not these preferences are present early in development, click here .