template-matching theory
the hypothesis that pattern recognition proceeds by comparing an incoming sensory stimulation pattern to mental images or representations of patterns (templates) until a match is found. This theory is largely considered too simplistic, because the same stimulus can be viewed from multiple perspectives, thereby altering the input pattern, and because a particular stimulus can have many different variations (e.g., a letter of the alphabet can be printed in numerous styles, sizes, orientations); it is impossible to store a template for each specific perspective or variation.