1 definition by Glen Mac
Proto-concepts or better, embryo-concepts, are concepts in the process of becoming and not fully formed like those of non-adults or adolescents . Very young or prepubescent children are unable to form the complete concept, but, are able to form intellectual functions that in a specific combination form the psychological combination bases of the process of 'concept formation,' the ability to form genuine concepts will only develop when the individual is on the cusp of maturity.
Proto-concepts are intellectual forms that act in place of actual fully matured concepts; they are harbingers of concepts to come.
by Glen Mac April 3, 2016