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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 17, 2026

Experience is Instrumental in Tuning a Link Between Language and Cognition: Evidence from 6- to 7- Month-Old Infants' Object Categorization
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The early development of face processing--what makes faces special?

Stefanie Hoehl1, Stefanie Peykarjou

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Heidelberg, Hauptstr. 47-51 Heidelberg 69117, Germany. stefanie.hoehl@psychologie.uni-heidelberg.de

Neuroscience Bulletin
|November 8, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Face processing in humans develops expertise early, distinguishing it from other object recognition. This review covers behavioral and neurophysiological studies on how we recognize unique individuals and process faces holistically from infancy.

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Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Visual Perception

Background:

  • Face processing is a specialized cognitive function distinct from general object recognition.
  • Understanding the developmental trajectory of face perception is crucial for cognitive science.
  • Existing literature highlights unique characteristics of face individuation and holistic processing.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review behavioral and neurophysiological studies on face processing in adults and during development.
  • To identify key distinctions between face processing and the processing of other visual objects.
  • To examine the developmental aspects of these distinctions.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of empirical and theoretical studies on face processing.
  • Analysis of behavioral and neurophysiological data across different developmental stages.
  • Comparative analysis of face processing versus other object recognition.

Main Results:

  • Face processing is characterized by individual-level recognition, extensive expertise acquisition, and holistic processing.
  • Humans develop expertise in face individuation early in life.
  • Faces are processed more holistically than other objects, with potential sensitive periods in infancy for holistic representation and perceptual narrowing.

Conclusions:

  • Face processing exhibits unique developmental pathways compared to other visual object categories.
  • Early development involves significant learning and specialization in face perception, including holistic processing and own-race/species bias.
  • Future research should explore the interplay between behavioral and neural markers of face processing throughout development.