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The face size illusion is specific to whole faces
Anna Doherty1, Eamonn Walsh2,3, Matthew R Longo1
1School of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London, London, UK.
Perception
|February 4, 2026
Summary
The face size illusion, where upright faces appear smaller than inverted ones, is specific to whole faces. This illusion does not occur for isolated face parts like eyes, suggesting holistic face processing.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Visual Perception
- Human Face Perception
Background:
- Specialized neural processes in the visual system are believed to underpin social cognitive functions related to faces.
- The face size illusion demonstrates that upright faces are perceived as physically smaller than inverted faces.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether the face size illusion is specific to whole faces or also occurs for isolated face parts.
- To explore the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying human face perception.
Main Methods:
- Replication of the face size illusion using whole faces.
- Testing for the face size illusion with isolated face parts (noses, mouths, eyes).
Main Results:
- The face size illusion was clearly replicated for whole faces.
- No comparable illusion was found for isolated noses, mouths, or eyes.
- An illusion in the opposite direction was observed for isolated eyes.
Conclusions:
- The face size illusion is specific to the holistic processing of faces as entire units.
- Localized processing of individual face parts does not elicit the face size illusion.
- Findings support the notion of specialized neurocognitive mechanisms for whole face perception.
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