Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 28, 2026
08:06
Eye Movement Monitoring of Memory
Published on: August 15, 2010
Age biases in face processing: the effects of experience across development
1Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy. viola.macchicassia@unimib.it
British Journal of Psychology (London, England : 1953)
|October 13, 2011
Summary
Adult faces are recognized better than child faces, challenging the own-age bias theory. Early and continuous exposure to adult faces shapes face recognition abilities throughout life.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive psychology
- Developmental psychology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- The own-age bias (OAB) suggests better recognition of same-age faces.
- Previous research indicated that individuals recognize faces of their own age group better than faces of other age groups.
- This paper reviews evidence that challenges the OAB theory.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review studies on age-related face recognition abilities in children and adults.
- To examine evidence for a processing advantage for adult faces over non-adult faces.
- To explore how developmental experience influences face recognition plasticity.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing scientific literature.
- Analysis of studies investigating face discrimination and recognition.
- Examination of developmental trajectories in face processing.
Main Results:
- Recent evidence suggests a processing advantage for adult faces compared to non-adult faces.
- This advantage is attributed to early and continuous exposure to adult faces.
- Face recognition plasticity decreases with age, but early experiences have lasting effects.
Conclusions:
- The own-age bias (OAB) may not be a universal phenomenon in face recognition.
- Early and continuous exposure to adult faces shapes face representation development.
- Lifelong face recognition is influenced by early developmental experiences, impacting adult learning.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Facial Feedback Hypothesis
Charles Darwin proposed that facial expressions are an evolutionary adaptation for communication. He argued that these expressions are not influenced by culture but are universal across species. For example, a snarling expression with exposed teeth signals a threat in many animals, including humans. Darwin also suggested that displaying an emotion can intensify the feeling. Smiling, for example, could enhance one's sense of happiness. This idea laid the foundation for understanding the role of...
01:24Prosopagnosia
Prosopagnosia, also known as face blindness, is the inability to recognize faces. In severe cases, individuals with prosopagnosia may not recognize close family members, including parents and spouses, by their faces. For instance, someone with prosopagnosia might walk past their child in a crowd, only realizing their mistake upon noticing their child's distinctive backpack or favorite jacket. Prosopagnosia specifically impairs facial recognition, while the recognition of other objects or...
01:18Cognitive Development During Adolescence
During adolescence, individuals experience significant cognitive development that enhances their understanding of others' emotions and thoughts, known as cognitive empathy. This period is marked by an increased ability to adapt to others' perspectives and a more nuanced understanding of others' mental states, a skill that is foundational for social problem-solving and conflict avoidance. The development of cognitive empathy relies heavily on the theory of mind — the recognition that people have...
01:30Information Processing Approach
The information-processing theory of cognitive development centers on fundamental mental processes, including attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. Researchers in this field examine how cognitive abilities, such as working memory, evolve and influence children's overall development. Studies indicate that children with stronger working memory tend to excel in reading comprehension, math, and problem-solving compared to peers with less efficient memory skills. Low working memory is also...
02:55Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination
Humans are very diverse and although we share many similarities, we also have many differences. The social groups we belong to help form our identities (Tajfel, 1974). These differences may be difficult for some people to reconcile, which may lead to prejudice toward people who are different. Prejudice is a negative attitude and feeling toward an individual based solely on one’s membership in a particular social group (Allport, 1954; Brown, 2010). Prejudice is common against people who are...
01:30Cognitive Development During Adulthood
Cognitive development continues throughout adulthood, undergoing significant shifts across early, middle, and late stages. Individual transition occurs from adolescent idealism to pragmatic and adaptable thinking in early adulthood. During this period, individuals learn to integrate personal beliefs with the recognition that other perspectives are equally valid. Exposure to the complexities of modern society, diverse experiences, and higher education contribute to this adaptive thought process,...