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Holistic face perception is modulated by experience-dependent perceptual grouping.

Kim M Curby1,2, Robert J Entenman3, Justin T Fleming4

  • 1Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, NSW, 2109, Sydney, Australia. kim.curby@mq.edu.au.

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Experience shapes how we perceive faces. Learning to group visual elements influences holistic face perception, challenging previous assumptions about its fixed nature.

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Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Neuroscience
  • Visual Perception

Background:

  • Holistic face perception is crucial for recognizing individuals.
  • Perceptual grouping mechanisms are thought to be fundamental but potentially malleable.
  • Previous work showed disrupted grouping impairs holistic face perception.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if experience can alter the influence of perceptual grouping on holistic face perception.
  • To explore the role of general-purpose, experience-sensitive perceptual mechanisms in face recognition.

Main Methods:

  • Participants performed a part-judgment task using composite faces presented within manipulated frames.
  • A pre-task trained participants to perceive frames as either unified shapes or independent elements.
  • Compared holistic processing for faces in misaligned, different-colored frames versus aligned, same-colored frames.

Main Results:

  • Training to group misaligned frames as a single polygon enhanced holistic face perception.
  • Training to group aligned frames as a single square diminished holistic face perception.
  • Experience-modulated perceptual grouping significantly impacted holistic face processing.

Conclusions:

  • Holistic face perception is not impenetrable and can be shaped by experience.
  • General-purpose perceptual mechanisms play a dynamic role in face recognition.
  • Findings offer insights into the adaptable nature of visual perception mechanisms.