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Orientation-sensitivity of face identity aftereffects.
Gillian Rhodes1, Emma Evangelista, Linda Jeffery
1School of Psychology, The University of Western Australia, Australia. gill@psy.uwa.edu.au
Vision Research
|July 28, 2009
Summary
Face recognition relies on specialized mechanisms tuned to upright faces. This study shows that face identity aftereffects are stronger for upright faces, suggesting adaptation of these expert face-coding mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive neuroscience
- Visual perception
- Human face recognition
Background:
- Face recognition abilities are orientation-selective, favoring upright faces.
- Existing face aftereffect research has yielded inconsistent results regarding orientation sensitivity.
- Previous paradigms may not fully engage expert face-processing mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if face identity aftereffects are sensitive to face orientation.
- To test the hypothesis that face aftereffects reflect adaptation of orientation-tuned face-coding mechanisms.
- To employ an identity aftereffect paradigm for a more rigorous assessment.
Main Methods:
- Measured identity aftereffects for both upright and inverted faces.
- Manipulated face orientation between and within participants.
- Assessed aftereffects using measures like change in threshold and perceived identity.
Main Results:
- Baseline face identification performance was significantly better for upright faces.
- Identity aftereffects were nearly twice as large for upright compared to inverted faces when orientation varied between participants.
- Results were less conclusive when face orientation was varied within participants.
Conclusions:
- Adaptation of expert face-coding mechanisms likely contributes to face identity aftereffects.
- Face identity aftereffects demonstrate sensitivity to face orientation.
- The influence of expert mechanisms on face aftereffects may not be highly robust.
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