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Not so fast! Response times in the computerized Benton Face Recognition Test may not reflect face recognition ability
Joseph DeGutis1,2, Xian Li1,2,3, Bar Yosef1,2
1Boston Attention and Learning Laboratory, VA Boston Healthcare, Jamaica Plain Division, Boston, MA, USA.
Cognitive Neuropsychology
|October 6, 2022
Summary
Face recognition accuracy, not response times, effectively predicts face recognition ability and differentiates individuals with developmental prosopagnosia from controls. This highlights accuracy as a key cognitive measure.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Human Perception
Background:
- Response times (RTs) are frequently used to evaluate cognitive functions.
- The predictive value of face processing RTs for recognition ability, beyond accuracy, remains underexplored.
- Developmental prosopagnosia (DP) is a condition characterized by difficulties in face recognition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether face processing RTs predict face recognition ability.
- To determine if RTs can differentiate individuals with developmental prosopagnosia (DP) from control groups.
- To assess the predictive power of accuracy and RT on the computerized Benton Facial Recognition Test (BFRT-c) for overall face recognition ability.
Main Methods:
- Participants (62 controls, 36 DPs) completed the computerized Benton Facial Recognition Test (BFRT-c), collecting both accuracy and RT data.
- Validated face recognition measures, including the Cambridge Face Memory Test (CFMT) and a Famous Faces Memory Test (FFMT), were administered.
- Statistical analyses examined the correlations between BFRT-c performance (accuracy and RT) and other face recognition measures, and group differences.
Main Results:
- In controls, BFRT-c accuracy strongly predicted performance on the CFMT, FFMT, and a composite score (all p < .001).
- BFRT-c RTs did not show significant associations with any face recognition measures in controls (all r's < .21).
- BFRT-c accuracy significantly differentiated between individuals with DP and controls, whereas RT did not.
Conclusions:
- Face recognition accuracy on assessments like the BFRT-c is a crucial predictor of overall face recognition ability.
- Response times in face matching tasks do not appear to offer significant predictive value beyond accuracy.
- Accuracy, not response time, is a key indicator for distinguishing individuals with developmental prosopagnosia from neurotypical individuals.
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