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Kadlec J, Walsh CR, Sadé U, Amir A, Rissman J, Ramot M. A measure of reliability convergence to select and optimize cognitive tasks for individual differences research. COMMUNICATIONS PSYCHOLOGY 2024; 2:64. [PMID: 39242856 PMCID: PMC11332135 DOI: 10.1038/s44271-024-00114-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 09/09/2024]
Abstract
Surging interest in individual differences has faced setbacks in light of recent replication crises in psychology, for example in brain-wide association studies exploring brain-behavior correlations. A crucial component of replicability for individual differences studies, which is often assumed but not directly tested, is the reliability of the measures we use. Here, we evaluate the reliability of different cognitive tasks on a dataset with over 250 participants, who each completed a multi-day task battery. We show how reliability improves as a function of number of trials, and describe the convergence of the reliability curves for the different tasks, allowing us to score tasks according to their suitability for studies of individual differences. We further show the effect on reliability of measuring over multiple time points, with tasks assessing different cognitive domains being differentially affected. Data collected over more than one session may be required to achieve trait-like stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Kadlec
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Catherine R Walsh
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Section on Functional Imaging Methods, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Uri Sadé
- Faculty of Physics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ariel Amir
- Faculty of Physics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Jesse Rissman
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michal Ramot
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
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Gignac GE, Palermo R, Bothe E, Walker DL, Wilmer JB. Face perception and facial emotional expression recognition ability: Both unique predictors of the broader autism phenotype. Q J Exp Psychol (Hove) 2024; 77:1140-1153. [PMID: 37710359 PMCID: PMC11103922 DOI: 10.1177/17470218231203679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the broader autistic phenotype (BAP) have been suggested to be associated with perceptual-cognitive difficulties processing human faces. However, the empirical results are mixed, arguably, in part due to inadequate samples and analyses. Consequently, we administered the Cambridge Face Perception Test (CFPT), the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET), a vocabulary test, and the Autism Quotient (AQ) to a sample of 318 adults in the general community. Based on a disattenuated path analytic modelling strategy, we found that both face perception ability (β = -.21) and facial emotional expression recognition ability (β = -.27) predicted uniquely and significantly the Communication dimension of AQ. Vocabulary failed to yield a significant, direct effect onto the Communication dimension of the AQ. We conclude that difficulties perceiving information from the faces of others may contribute to difficulties in nonverbal communication, as conceptualised and measured within the context of BAP.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ellen Bothe
- University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
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3
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Davies-Thompson J, Morgan D, Davis JP, Towler JR. Face Feature Change Detection Ability in Developmental Prosopagnosia and Super-Recognisers. Brain Sci 2024; 14:561. [PMID: 38928560 PMCID: PMC11201608 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14060561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
In non-clinical populations, facial features (eyes, nose, mouth) may vary in their contribution to face identity perception. Changes to whole faces are easier to detect than changes to individual features, and eye changes are typically easier to detect than mouth changes, which in turn are easier to detect than nose changes. However, how this differs for people with face recognition difficulties (developmental prosopagnosia; DP) and for individuals with superior face recognition abilities (super-recognisers; SR) is not clear; although findings from previous studies have suggested differences, the nature of this difference is not understood. The aim of this study was to examine whether differences in the ability to detect feature changes in DPs and SRs were (a) quantitative, meaning that the pattern across feature changes remained the same but there was an overall upwards or downwards shift in performance, or (b) qualitative, meaning that the pattern across feature changes was different. Using a change detection task in which individual face features (eyes, nose, mouth) changed between sequentially presented faces, we found that while prosopagnosics showed a quantitative difference in performance with a downwards shift across all conditions, super-recognisers only showed qualitative differences: they were better able to detect when the face was the same and were marginally (but not non-significantly) worse at detecting when the eyes changed. Further, the only condition which distinguished between the three groups was the ability to identify when the same face was presented, with SRs being better than controls, and controls being better than DPs. Our findings suggest that, in feature-matching tasks, differences for DPs are due to them being overall worse at the task, while SRs use a qualitatively different strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jodie Davies-Thompson
- School of Psychology, Vivian Tower, Faculty of Medicine, Human & Health Sciences, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK (J.R.T.)
| | - Daniel Morgan
- School of Psychology, Vivian Tower, Faculty of Medicine, Human & Health Sciences, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK (J.R.T.)
| | | | - John R. Towler
- School of Psychology, Vivian Tower, Faculty of Medicine, Human & Health Sciences, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK (J.R.T.)
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4
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Estudillo AJ, Wong HK. The role of inversion and face masks on simultaneous and delayed face matching tasks. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0295407. [PMID: 38166082 PMCID: PMC10760855 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Although it is generally accepted that face recognition relies on holistic processing, it has been suggested that the simultaneous face matching task may depend on a more analytical or featural processing approach. However, empirical evidence supporting this claim is limited. In two experiments, we further explored the role of holistic and featural processing on simultaneous face matching by manipulating holistic processing through inversion and presenting faces with or without face masks. The results from Experiment 1 revealed that both inversion and face masks impaired matching performance. However, while the inversion effect was evident in both full-view and masked faces, the mask effect was only found in upright, but not inverted, faces. These results were replicated in Experiment 2 but, the inversion and mask effects were stronger in delayed face matching than in simultaneous face matching. Our findings suggest that simultaneous face matching relies on holistic processing, but to a smaller extent compared to higher memory-demanding identification tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro J. Estudillo
- Bournemouth University, Poole, United Kingdom
- University of Nottingham Malaysia, Semenyih, Malaysia
| | - Hoo Keat Wong
- University of Nottingham Malaysia, Semenyih, Malaysia
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5
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Kramer RS, Tree JJ. Investigating people's metacognitive insight into their own face abilities. Q J Exp Psychol (Hove) 2023:17470218231218662. [PMID: 37997434 DOI: 10.1177/17470218231218662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Within the domain of face processing, researchers have been interested in quantifying the relationship between objective (i.e., performance on laboratory tests of recognition and matching) and subjective measures of ability (typically, self-report questionnaires). Put simply, do people show high levels of metacognitive insight into their own abilities with faces? Although several studies have suggested that the association between these two types of measures may only be moderate, there remain several important issues that require consideration before this question can be sensibly investigated. First, specificity is needed regarding both objective and subjective measurements because both tend to span a wide range of potentially separable abilities. Second, experimental tasks appear to focus on different contexts to those tapped in self-report questionnaire items. Third, recent issues with statistical approaches and visualisation can result in numerical artefacts and misinterpretations. Finally, the sizes of population-level insights suggested by recent work provide only limited information regarding individuals within these populations, and so researchers aiming to identify people at the extremes of ability must be careful when drawing conclusions. Taken together, we argue that more attention to these issues is needed when attempting to investigate metacognitive insight within this domain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jeremy J Tree
- Department of Psychology, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
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Itoh Y, Miura H, Shimane D. A descriptive study on misidentifications of a person as a familiar person in an everyday situation. Sci Rep 2023; 13:8530. [PMID: 37237029 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35094-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to show the characteristics of person misidentifications, that is, experiences in which persons are misidentified as known persons. A total of 121 participants were asked how many times they misidentified persons in the last year and details of a recent person misidentification were recorded through a traditional questionnaire. Additionally, they answered questions in a diary method questionnaire, about the details of person misidentification each time they experienced it, during the two-week survey period. The questionnaires revealed that the participants misidentified both known and unknown persons as familiar persons approximately six (traditional questionnaire) or 19 (diary method) times a year on average, regardless of whether they expected the persons to be there. They were more likely to misidentify a person as a familiar than as a less familiar person. It was also shown that the similarity of the faces of the person actually seen and the person they were mistaken for was not as high as the similarities of build and clothing. This study is expected to provide suggestions for models of person identification and enhance the research on errors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuji Itoh
- Department of Psychology, Keio University, Tokyo, 108-8345, Japan.
- Department of Psychology, Kyoto Women's University, 35 Kitahiyoshi-cho, Imakumano, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, 605-8501, Japan.
| | - Hiroshi Miura
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Kyorin University, Tokyo, 181-8611, Japan
| | - Daisuke Shimane
- Department of Psychology, Keio University, Tokyo, 108-8345, Japan
- Research Center for Brain Communication, Kochi University of Technology, Kochi, 782-0003, Japan
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Baker KA, Mondloch CJ. Unfamiliar face matching ability predicts the slope of face learning. Sci Rep 2023; 13:5248. [PMID: 37002382 PMCID: PMC10066355 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32244-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
We provide the first examination of individual differences in the efficiency of face learning. Investigating individual differences in face learning can illuminate potential mechanisms and provide greater understanding of why certain individuals might be more efficient face learners. Participants completed two unfamiliar face matching tasks and a learning task in which learning was assessed after viewing 1, 3, 6, and 9 images of to-be-learned identities. Individual differences in the slope of face learning (i.e., increases in sensitivity to identity) were predicted by the ability to discriminate between matched (same-identity) vs. mismatched (different-identity) pairs of wholly unfamiliar faces. A Dual Process Signal Detection model showed that three parameters increased with learning: Familiarity (an unconscious type of memory that varies in strength), recollection-old (conscious recognition of a learned identity), and recollection-new (conscious/confident rejection of novel identities). Good (vs. poor) matchers had higher Recollection-Old scores throughout learning and showed a steeper increase in Recollection-New. We conclude that good matchers are better able to capitalize on exposure to within-person variability in appearance, an effect that is attributable to their conscious memory for both learned and novel faces. These results have applied implications and will inform contemporary and traditional models of face identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen A Baker
- Department of Psychology, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, ON, L2S 3A1, Canada.
| | - Catherine J Mondloch
- Department of Psychology, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, ON, L2S 3A1, Canada
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Dunn JD, Towler A, Kemp RI, White D. Selecting police super-recognisers. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0283682. [PMID: 37195905 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0283682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
People vary in their ability to recognise faces. These individual differences are consistent over time, heritable and associated with brain anatomy. This implies that face identity processing can be improved in applied settings by selecting high performers-'super-recognisers' (SRs)-but these selection processes are rarely available for scientific scrutiny. Here we report an 'end-to-end' selection process used to establish an SR 'unit' in a large police force. Australian police officers (n = 1600) completed 3 standardised face identification tests and we recruited 38 SRs from this cohort to complete 10 follow-up tests. As a group, SRs were 20% better than controls in lab-based tests of face memory and matching, and equalled or surpassed accuracy of forensic specialists that currently perform face identification tasks for police. Individually, SR accuracy was variable but this problem was mitigated by adopting strict selection criteria. SRs' superior abilities transferred only partially to body identity decisions where the face was not visible, and they were no better than controls at deciding which visual scene that faces had initially been encountered in. Notwithstanding these important qualifications, we conclude that super-recognisers are an effective solution to improving face identity processing in applied settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- James D Dunn
- School of Psychology, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Alice Towler
- School of Psychology, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | | | - David White
- School of Psychology, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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Estudillo AJ, Wong HK. Two face masks are better than one: congruency effects in face matching. Cogn Res Princ Implic 2022; 7:49. [PMID: 35674914 PMCID: PMC9175166 DOI: 10.1186/s41235-022-00402-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the positive effects of congruency between stimuli are well replicated in face memory paradigms, mixed findings have been found in face matching. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, face masks are now very common during daily life outdoor activities. Thus, the present study aims to further explore congruency effects in matching faces partially occluded by surgical masks. Observers performed a face matching task consisting of pairs of faces presented in full view (i.e., full-view condition), pairs of faces in which only one of the faces had a mask (i.e., one-mask condition), and pairs of faces in which both faces had a mask (i.e., two-mask condition). Although face masks disrupted performance in identity match and identity mismatch trials, in match trials, we found better performance in the two-mask condition compared to the one-mask condition. This finding highlights the importance of congruency between stimuli on face matching when telling faces together.
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The relation between holistic processing as measured by three composite tasks and face processing: A latent variable modeling approach. Atten Percept Psychophys 2022; 84:2319-2334. [PMID: 35915200 DOI: 10.3758/s13414-022-02543-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the relationship between holistic processing and face processing using a latent variables approach. Three versions of the composite paradigm were used to measure holistic processing: Vanderbilt Holistic Face Processing Test, a sequential composite matching task, and a simultaneous composite matching task. Three tasks were used to measure face perception and face memory abilities respectively. We had three pairs of tasks such that within each pair (of memory and perception task), the stimuli involved, the requirement for matching across viewpoints, etc., are the same, such that the only difference is whether perception or memory is taxed. There were no significant correlations between the different versions of the composite task. We discovered no evidence to support a distinction between face perception and face memory, suggesting the existence of a general face processing factor. Finally, there was no evidence that holistic processing (as captured by either of the three composite tasks) is predictive of better face processing per se, casting doubts on the role of holistic processing in differentiating different levels of efficiency in face processing.
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Rossion B. Twenty years of investigation with the case of prosopagnosia PS to understand human face identity recognition. Part I: Function. Neuropsychologia 2022; 173:108278. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2022.108278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Abstract
Visual comparison-comparing visual stimuli (e.g., fingerprints) side by side and determining whether they originate from the same or different source (i.e., "match")-is a complex discrimination task involving many cognitive and perceptual processes. Despite the real-world consequences of this task, which is often conducted by forensic scientists, little is understood about the psychological processes underpinning this ability. There are substantial individual differences in visual comparison accuracy amongst both professionals and novices. The source of this variation is unknown, but may reflect a domain-general and naturally varying perceptual ability. Here, we investigate this by comparing individual differences (N = 248 across two studies) in four visual comparison domains: faces, fingerprints, firearms, and artificial prints. Accuracy on all comparison tasks was significantly correlated and accounted for a substantial portion of variance (e.g., 42% in Exp. 1) in performance across all tasks. Importantly, this relationship cannot be attributed to participants' intrinsic motivation or skill in other visual-perceptual tasks (visual search and visual statistical learning). This paper provides novel evidence of a reliable, domain-general visual comparison ability.
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Neurocognitive effects of a training program for poor face recognizers using shape and texture caricatures: A pilot investigation. Neuropsychologia 2021; 165:108133. [PMID: 34971671 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2021.108133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Recent research suggested disproportional usage of shape information by people with poor face recognition, although texture information appears to be more important for familiar face recognition. Here, we tested a training program with faces that were selectively caricatured in either shape or texture parameters. Forty-eight young adults with poor face recognition skills (1 SD below the mean in at least 2/3 face processing tests: CFMT, GFMT, BFFT) were pseudo-randomly assigned to either one of two training groups or a control group (n = 16 each). Training comprised six sessions over three weeks. Per session, participants studied ten unfamiliar facial identities whose shape or texture characteristics were caricatured. Before and after training (or waiting in the control group), all participants completed EEG experiments on face learning and famous face recognition, and behavioral face processing tests. Results showed small but specific training-induced improvements: Whereas shape training improved face matching (training tasks, and to some extent GFMT), texture training elicited marked improvements in face learning (CFMT). Moreover, for the texture training group the N170 ERP was enhanced for novel faces post-training, suggesting training-induced changes in early markers of face processing. Although further research is necessary, this suggests that parameter-specific caricature training is a promising way to improve performance in people with poor face recognition skills.
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Bate S, Portch E, Mestry N. When two fields collide: Identifying "super-recognisers" for neuropsychological and forensic face recognition research. Q J Exp Psychol (Hove) 2021; 74:2154-2164. [PMID: 34110226 PMCID: PMC8531948 DOI: 10.1177/17470218211027695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
In the last decade, a novel individual differences approach has emerged across the face recognition literature. While the field has long been concerned with prosopagnosia (the inability to recognise facial identity), it has more recently become clear that there are vast differences in face recognition ability within the typical population. "Super-recognisers" are those individuals purported to reside at the very top of this spectrum. On one hand, these people are of interest to cognitive neuropsychologists who are motivated to explore the commonality of the face recognition continuum, whereas on the other hand, researchers from the forensic face matching field evaluate the implementation of super-recognisers into real-world police and security settings. These two rather different approaches have led to discrepancies in the definition of super-recognisers, and perhaps more fundamentally, the approach to identifying them, resulting in a lack of consistency that prohibits theoretical progress. Here, we review the protocols used in published work to identify super-recognisers, and propose a common definition and screening recommendations that can be adhered to across fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Bate
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of
Science & Technology, Bournemouth University, Poole, UK
| | - Emma Portch
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of
Science & Technology, Bournemouth University, Poole, UK
| | - Natalie Mestry
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of
Science & Technology, Bournemouth University, Poole, UK
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Retter TL, Jiang F, Webster MA, Michel C, Schiltz C, Rossion B. Varying Stimulus Duration Reveals Consistent Neural Activity and Behavior for Human Face Individuation. Neuroscience 2021; 472:138-156. [PMID: 34333061 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2021.07.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Establishing consistent relationships between neural activity and behavior is a challenge in human cognitive neuroscience research. We addressed this issue using variable time constraints in an oddball frequency-sweep design for visual discrimination of complex images (face exemplars). Sixteen participants viewed sequences of ascending presentation durations, from 25 to 333 ms (40-3 Hz stimulation rate) while their electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded. Throughout each sequence, the same unfamiliar face picture was repeated with variable size and luminance changes while different unfamiliar facial identities appeared every 1 s (1 Hz). A neural face individuation response, tagged at 1 Hz and its unique harmonics, emerged over the occipito-temporal cortex at 50 ms stimulus duration (25-100 ms across individuals), with an optimal response reached at 170 ms stimulus duration. In a subsequent experiment, identity changes appeared non-periodically within fixed-frequency sequences while the same participants performed an explicit face individuation task. The behavioral face individuation response also emerged at 50 ms presentation time, and behavioral accuracy correlated with individual participants' neural response amplitude in a weighted middle stimulus duration range (50-125 ms). Moreover, the latency of the neural response peaking between 180 and 200 ms correlated strongly with individuals' behavioral accuracy in this middle duration range, as measured independently. These observations point to the minimal (50 ms) and optimal (170 ms) stimulus durations for human face individuation and provide novel evidence that inter-individual differences in the magnitude and latency of early, high-level neural responses are predictive of behavioral differences in performance at this function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talia L Retter
- Psychological Sciences Research Institute, Institute of Neuroscience, UCLouvain, Belgium; Department of Psychology, Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Nevada, Reno, USA; Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences, Institute of Cognitive Science & Assessment, University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg.
| | - Fang Jiang
- Department of Psychology, Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Nevada, Reno, USA
| | - Michael A Webster
- Department of Psychology, Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Nevada, Reno, USA
| | - Caroline Michel
- Psychological Sciences Research Institute, Institute of Neuroscience, UCLouvain, Belgium
| | - Christine Schiltz
- Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences, Institute of Cognitive Science & Assessment, University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Bruno Rossion
- Psychological Sciences Research Institute, Institute of Neuroscience, UCLouvain, Belgium; Université de Lorraine, CNRS, CRAN, F-54000 Nancy, France; Université de Lorraine, CHRU-Nancy, Service de Neurologie, F-54000 Nancy, France
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Boutet I, Meinhardt-Injac B. Measurement of individual differences in face-identity processing abilities in older adults. Cogn Res Princ Implic 2021; 6:48. [PMID: 34275050 PMCID: PMC8286909 DOI: 10.1186/s41235-021-00310-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Face-identity processing declines with age. Few studies have examined whether face-identity processing abilities can be measured independently from general cognitive abilities in older adults (OA). This question has practical implications for the assessment of face-identity processing abilities in OA and theoretical implications for the notion of face processing as a specific ability. The present study examined the specificity of face memory and face matching abilities in OA aged 50 + . METHODS Performance of younger adults (YA) and OA was measured on face tasks: Cambridge Face Memory Task (CFMT), the Glasgow Face Matching Task (GFMT), holistic processing; and tasks of general cognition: fluid intelligence, selective attention, and mental rotation. Data were analyzed using multiple regression models encompassing (i) the CFMT/GFMT and measures of general cognition; and (ii) all face processing tasks. RESULTS Across the two age groups, models encompassing all face tasks were significant and accounted for more variance in the data than models encompassing the CFMT/GFMT and measures of general cognition. General cognitive abilities accounted for 17% of variance for the GFMT (p < 0.01) and 3% for the CFMT (p > 0.05). DISCUSSION Our results suggest that face memory can be measured independently from general cognition using the CFMT in OA. Implications for the notion of a general face processing factor across the adult lifespan are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bozana Meinhardt-Injac
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Applied Sciences Berlin (KHSB), Köpenicker Allee 39-57, 10318, Berlin, Germany.
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Kramer RSS. Forgetting faces over a week: investigating self-reported face recognition ability and personality. PeerJ 2021; 9:e11828. [PMID: 34316415 PMCID: PMC8288112 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although face recognition is now well studied, few researchers have considered the nature of forgetting over longer time periods. Here, I investigated how newly learned faces were recognised over the course of one week. In addition, I considered whether self-reported face recognition ability, as well as Big Five personality dimensions, were able to predict actual performance in a recognition task. Methods In this experiment (N = 570), faces were learned through short video interviews, and these identities were later presented in a recognition test (using previously unseen images) after no delay, six hours, twelve hours, one day, or seven days. Results The majority of forgetting took place within the first 24 hours, with no significant decrease after that timepoint. Further, self-reported face recognition abilities were moderately predictive of performance, while extraversion showed a small, negative association with performance. In both cases, these associations remained consistent across delay conditions. Discussion The current work begins to address important questions regarding face recognition using longitudinal, real-world time intervals, focussing on participant insight into their own abilities, and the process of forgetting more generally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin S S Kramer
- School of Psychology, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, United Kingdom
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18
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Marzi T, Gronchi G, Turano MT, Giovannelli F, Giganti F, Rebai M, Viggiano MP. Mapping the Featural and Holistic Face Processing of Bad and Good Face Recognizers. Behav Sci (Basel) 2021; 11:bs11050075. [PMID: 34068256 PMCID: PMC8153130 DOI: 10.3390/bs11050075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Individual abilities in face recognition (good versus bad recognizers) were explored by means of event-related potentials (ERPs). The adaptation response profile of the N170 component to whole faces, eyes and mouths was used in order to highlight the crucial role of individual abilities in identity repetition processes for unfamiliar faces. The main point of this study is to underline the importance of characterizing the performance (bad or good) of the participants and to show that behaviorally selected groups might reveal neural differences. Good recognizers showed selective right hemisphere N170 repetition effects for whole faces and not for features. On the contrary, bad recognizers showed a general repetition effect not specifically related to faces and more pronounced processing for features. These findings suggest a different contribution of holistic and featural analysis in bad and good performers. In conclusion, we propose that the N170 might be used as a tool to tease apart face encoding processes as a function of individual differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa Marzi
- Section of Psychology—Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child’s Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, 12 Via di San Salvi, 50135 Firenze, Italy; (T.M.); (G.G.); (F.G.); (F.G.)
| | - Giorgio Gronchi
- Section of Psychology—Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child’s Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, 12 Via di San Salvi, 50135 Firenze, Italy; (T.M.); (G.G.); (F.G.); (F.G.)
| | | | - Fabio Giovannelli
- Section of Psychology—Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child’s Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, 12 Via di San Salvi, 50135 Firenze, Italy; (T.M.); (G.G.); (F.G.); (F.G.)
| | - Fiorenza Giganti
- Section of Psychology—Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child’s Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, 12 Via di San Salvi, 50135 Firenze, Italy; (T.M.); (G.G.); (F.G.); (F.G.)
| | - Mohamed Rebai
- Department of Psychology, University of Rouen, 76130 Mont-Saint-Aignan, France;
| | - Maria Pia Viggiano
- Section of Psychology—Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child’s Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, 12 Via di San Salvi, 50135 Firenze, Italy; (T.M.); (G.G.); (F.G.); (F.G.)
- Correspondence:
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19
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Petersen LA, Leue A. Extraordinary face recognition performance in laboratory and online testing. APPLIED COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/acp.3805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lara Aylin Petersen
- Department of Psychology Christian‐Albrechts‐University zu Kiel (CAU) Kiel Germany
| | - Anja Leue
- Department of Psychology Christian‐Albrechts‐University zu Kiel (CAU) Kiel Germany
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20
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Noyes E, Davis JP, Petrov N, Gray KLH, Ritchie KL. The effect of face masks and sunglasses on identity and expression recognition with super-recognizers and typical observers. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2021; 8:201169. [PMID: 33959312 PMCID: PMC8074904 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.201169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Face masks present a new challenge to face identification (here matching) and emotion recognition in Western cultures. Here, we present the results of three experiments that test the effect of masks, and also the effect of sunglasses (an occlusion that individuals tend to have more experienced with) on (i) familiar face matching, (ii) unfamiliar face matching and (iii) emotion categorization. Occlusion reduced accuracy in all three tasks, with most errors in the mask condition; however, there was little difference in performance for faces in masks compared with faces in sunglasses. Super-recognizers, people who are highly skilled at matching unconcealed faces, were impaired by occlusion, but at the group level, performed with higher accuracy than controls on all tasks. Results inform psychology theory with implications for everyday interactions, security and policing in a mask-wearing society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eilidh Noyes
- Department of Psychology, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, UK
| | - Josh P. Davis
- School of Human Sciences, University of Greenwich, London SE10 9LS, UK
| | - Nikolay Petrov
- School of Human Sciences, University of Greenwich, London SE10 9LS, UK
| | - Katie L. H. Gray
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6UR, UK
| | - Kay L. Ritchie
- School of Psychology, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN6 7TS, UK
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21
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Jenkins RE, Tsermentseli S, Monks CP, Robertson DJ, Stevenage SV, Symons AE, Davis JP. Are super‐face‐recognisers also super‐voice‐recognisers? Evidence from cross‐modal identification tasks. APPLIED COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/acp.3813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ryan E. Jenkins
- School of Human Sciences, Institute for Lifecourse Development University of Greenwich London UK
| | - Stella Tsermentseli
- School of Human Sciences, Institute for Lifecourse Development University of Greenwich London UK
| | - Claire P. Monks
- School of Human Sciences, Institute for Lifecourse Development University of Greenwich London UK
| | - David J. Robertson
- School of Psychological Sciences and Health University of Strathclyde Glasgow UK
| | | | - Ashley E. Symons
- Department of Psychology University of Southampton Southampton UK
| | - Josh P. Davis
- School of Human Sciences, Institute for Lifecourse Development University of Greenwich London UK
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22
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Megreya AM, Latzman RD. Individual differences in emotion regulation and face recognition. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0243209. [PMID: 33301521 PMCID: PMC7728238 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Face recognition ability is highly variable among neurologically intact populations. Across three experiments, this study examined for the first time associations between individual differences in a range of adaptive versus maladaptive emotion regulation strategies and face recognition. Using an immediate face-memory paradigm, in which observers had to identify a self-paced learned unfamiliar face from a 10-face target-present/ target-absent line-up, Experiment 1 (N = 42) found high levels of expressive suppression (the ongoing efforts to inhibit emotion-expressive behaviors), but not cognitive reappraisal (the cognitive re-evaluation of emotional events to change their emotional consequences), were associated with a lower level of overall face-memory accuracy and higher rates of misidentifications and false positives. Experiment 2 (N = 53) replicated these finding using a range of face-matching tasks, where observers were asked to match pairs of same-race or different-race face images taken on the same day or during different times. Once again, high levels of expressive suppression were associated with a lower level of overall face-matching performance and higher rates of false positives, but cognitive reappraisal did not correlate with any face-matching measure. Finally, Experiment 3 (N = 52) revealed that the higher use of maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies, especially catastrophizing, was associated with lower levels of overall face-matching performances and higher rates of false positives. All told, the current research provides new evidence concerning the important associations between emotion and cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed M. Megreya
- Department of Psychological Sciences, College of Education, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- * E-mail:
| | - Robert D. Latzman
- Department of Psychology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
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23
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Canas-Bajo T, Whitney D. Stimulus-Specific Individual Differences in Holistic Perception of Mooney Faces. Front Psychol 2020; 11:585921. [PMID: 33240177 PMCID: PMC7677523 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.585921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Humans perceive faces holistically rather than as a set of separate features. Previous work demonstrates that some individuals are better at this holistic type of processing than others. Here, we show that there are unique individual differences in holistic processing of specific Mooney faces. We operationalized the increased difficulty of recognizing a face when inverted compared to upright as a measure of the degree to which individual Mooney faces were processed holistically by individual observers. Our results show that Mooney faces vary considerably in the extent to which they tap into holistic processing; some Mooney faces require holistic processing more than others. Importantly, there is little between-subject agreement about which faces are processed holistically; specific faces that are processed holistically by one observer are not by other observers. Essentially, what counts as holistic for one person is unique to that particular observer. Interestingly, we found that the per-face, per-observer differences in face discrimination only occurred for harder Mooney faces that required relatively more holistic processing. These findings suggest that holistic processing of hard Mooney faces depends on a particular observer's experience whereas processing of easier, cartoon-like Mooney faces can proceed universally for everyone. Future work using Mooney faces in perception research should take these stimulus-specific individual differences into account to best isolate holistic processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Canas-Bajo
- Vision Science Graduate Group, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - David Whitney
- Vision Science Graduate Group, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States.,Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States.,Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
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24
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Dunn JD, Summersby S, Towler A, Davis JP, White D. UNSW Face Test: A screening tool for super-recognizers. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0241747. [PMID: 33196639 PMCID: PMC7668578 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We present a new test-the UNSW Face Test (www.unswfacetest.com)-that has been specifically designed to screen for super-recognizers in large online cohorts and is available free for scientific use. Super-recognizers are people that demonstrate sustained performance in the very top percentiles in tests of face identification ability. Because they represent a small proportion of the population, screening large online cohorts is an important step in their initial recruitment, before confirmatory testing via standardized measures and more detailed cognitive testing. We provide normative data on the UNSW Face Test from 3 cohorts tested via the internet (combined n = 23,902) and 2 cohorts tested in our lab (combined n = 182). The UNSW Face Test: (i) captures both identification memory and perceptual matching, as confirmed by correlations with existing tests of these abilities; (ii) captures face-specific perceptual and memorial abilities, as confirmed by non-significant correlations with non-face object processing tasks; (iii) enables researchers to apply stricter selection criteria than other available tests, which boosts the average accuracy of the individuals selected in subsequent testing. Together, these properties make the test uniquely suited to screening for super-recognizers in large online cohorts.
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Affiliation(s)
- James D. Dunn
- School of Psychology, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Alice Towler
- School of Psychology, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - Josh P. Davis
- Department of Psychology, University of Greenwich, London, United Kingdom
| | - David White
- School of Psychology, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
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25
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Individual differences in face and voice matching abilities: The relationship between accuracy and consistency. APPLIED COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/acp.3754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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26
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Johnson J, McGettigan C, Lavan N. Comparing unfamiliar voice and face identity perception using identity sorting tasks. Q J Exp Psychol (Hove) 2020; 73:1537-1545. [PMID: 32530364 PMCID: PMC7534197 DOI: 10.1177/1747021820938659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Identity sorting tasks, in which participants sort multiple naturally varying stimuli of usually two identities into perceived identities, have recently gained popularity in voice and face processing research. In both modalities, participants who are unfamiliar with the identities tend to perceive multiple stimuli of the same identity as different people and thus fail to "tell people together." These similarities across modalities suggest that modality-general mechanisms may underpin sorting behaviour. In this study, participants completed a voice sorting and a face sorting task. Taking an individual differences approach, we asked whether participants' performance on voice and face sorting of unfamiliar identities is correlated. Participants additionally completed a voice discrimination (Bangor Voice Matching Test) and a face discrimination task (Glasgow Face Matching Test). Using these tasks, we tested whether performance on sorting related to explicit identity discrimination. Performance on voice sorting and face sorting tasks was correlated, suggesting that common modality-general processes underpin these tasks. However, no significant correlations were found between sorting and discrimination performance, with the exception of significant relationships for performance on "same identity" trials with "telling people together" for voices and faces. Overall, any reported relationships were however relatively weak, suggesting the presence of additional modality-specific and task-specific processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine Johnson
- Department of Speech, Hearing and Phonetic Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Carolyn McGettigan
- Department of Speech, Hearing and Phonetic Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Nadine Lavan
- Department of Speech, Hearing and Phonetic Sciences, University College London, London, UK
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27
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Rossion B, Retter TL, Liu‐Shuang J. Understanding human individuation of unfamiliar faces with oddball fast periodic visual stimulation and electroencephalography. Eur J Neurosci 2020; 52:4283-4344. [DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Rossion
- CNRS, CRAN UMR7039 Université de Lorraine F‐54000Nancy France
- Service de Neurologie, CHRU‐Nancy Université de Lorraine F‐54000Nancy France
| | - Talia L. Retter
- Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences Faculty of Language and Literature Humanities, Arts and Education University of Luxembourg Luxembourg Luxembourg
| | - Joan Liu‐Shuang
- Institute of Research in Psychological Science Institute of Neuroscience Université de Louvain Louvain‐la‐Neuve Belgium
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28
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Robertson DJ, Burton AM. Checking
ID
‐cards for the sale of restricted goods: Age decisions bias face decisions. APPLIED COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/acp.3739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David J. Robertson
- Department of Psychology University of York York UK
- School of Psychological Science & Health University of Strathclyde Glasgow UK
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29
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Fysh MC, Stacchi L, Ramon M. Differences between and within individuals, and subprocesses of face cognition: implications for theory, research and personnel selection. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2020; 7:200233. [PMID: 33047013 PMCID: PMC7540753 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.200233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Recent investigations of individual differences have demonstrated striking variability in performance both within the same subprocess in face cognition (e.g. face perception), but also between two different subprocesses (i.e. face perception versus face recognition) that are assessed using different tasks (face matching versus face memory). Such differences between and within individuals between and within laboratory tests raise practical challenges. This applies in particular to the development of screening tests for the selection of personnel in real-world settings where faces are routinely processed, such as at passport control. The aim of this study, therefore, was to examine the performance profiles of individuals within and across two different subprocesses of face cognition: face perception and face recognition. To this end, 146 individuals completed four different tests of face matching-one novel tool for assessing proficiency in face perception, as well as three established measures-and two benchmark tests of face memory probing face recognition. In addition to correlational analyses, we further scrutinized individual performance profiles of the highest and lowest performing observers identified per test, as well as across all tests. Overall, a number of correlations emerged between tests. However, there was limited evidence at the individual level to suggest that high proficiency in one test generalized to other tests measuring the same subprocess, as well as those that measured a different subprocess. Beyond emphasizing the need to honour inter-individual differences through careful multivariate assessment in the laboratory, our findings have real-world implications: combinations of tests that most accurately map the task(s) and processes of interest are required for personnel selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew C. Fysh
- School of Psychology, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, UK
| | - Lisa Stacchi
- iBM Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Fribourg, Faucigny 2, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Meike Ramon
- Applied Face Cognition Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Fribourg, Faucigny 2, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
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30
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Tummon HM, Allen J, Bindemann M. Body Language Influences on Facial Identification at Passport Control: An Exploration in Virtual Reality. Iperception 2020; 11:2041669520958033. [PMID: 33149876 PMCID: PMC7580167 DOI: 10.1177/2041669520958033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Person identification at airports requires the matching of a passport photograph to its bearer. One aim of this process is to find identity impostors, who use valid identity documents of similar-looking people to avoid detection. In psychology, this process has been studied extensively with static pairs of face photographs that require identity match (same person shown) versus mismatch (two different people) decisions. However, this approach provides a limited proxy for studying how other factors, such as nonverbal behaviour, affect this task. The current study investigated the influence of body language on facial identity matching within a virtual reality airport environment, by manipulating activity levels of person avatars queueing at passport control. In a series of six experiments, detection of identity mismatches was unaffected when observers were not instructed to utilise body language. By contrast, under explicit instruction to look out for unusual body language, these cues enhanced detection of mismatches but also increased false classification of matches. This effect was driven by increased activity levels rather than body language that simply differed from the behaviour of the majority of passengers. The implications and limitations of these findings are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah M. Tummon
- School of Psychology, University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom
| | - John Allen
- School of Psychology, University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom
| | - Markus Bindemann
- School of Psychology, University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom
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31
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Murray E, Bate S. Diagnosing developmental prosopagnosia: repeat assessment using the Cambridge Face Memory Test. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2020; 7:200884. [PMID: 33047048 PMCID: PMC7540801 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.200884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Developmental prosopagnosia (DP) is a cognitive condition characterized by a relatively selective impairment in face recognition. Currently, people are screened for DP via a single attempt at objective face-processing tests, usually all presented on the same day. However, several variables probably influence performance on these tests irrespective of actual ability, and the influence of repeat administration is also unknown. Here, we assess, for the first known time, the test-retest reliability of the Cambridge Face Memory Test (CFMT)-the leading task used worldwide to diagnose DP. This value was found to fall just below psychometric standards, and single-case analyses revealed further inconsistencies in performance that were not driven by testing location (online or in-person), nor the time-lapse between attempts. Later administration of an alternative version of the CFMT (the CFMT-Aus) was also found to be valuable in confirming borderline cases. Finally, we found that performance on the first 48 trials of the CFMT was equally as sensitive as the full 72-item score, suggesting that the instrument may be shortened for testing efficiency. We consider the implications of these findings for existing diagnostic protocols, concluding that two independent tasks of unfamiliar face memory should be completed on separate days.
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32
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Super‐recognisers: Face recognition performance after variable delay intervals. APPLIED COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/acp.3712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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33
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Robertson DJ, Black J, Chamberlain B, Megreya AM, Davis JP. Super‐Recognisers show an advantage for other race face identification. APPLIED COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/acp.3608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David J. Robertson
- School of Psychological Sciences and HealthUniversity of Strathclyde Glasgow UK
| | - Jennifer Black
- School of Psychological Sciences and HealthUniversity of Strathclyde Glasgow UK
| | - Bethany Chamberlain
- School of Psychological Sciences and HealthUniversity of Strathclyde Glasgow UK
| | - Ahmed M. Megreya
- Department of Psychological Sciences, College of EducationQatar University Doha Qatar
| | - Josh P. Davis
- Department of Psychology, Social Work and CounsellingUniversity of Greenwich London UK
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34
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Kramer RSS, Hardy SC, Ritchie KL. Searching for faces in crowd chokepoint videos. APPLIED COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/acp.3620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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35
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Face search in CCTV surveillance. COGNITIVE RESEARCH-PRINCIPLES AND IMPLICATIONS 2019; 4:37. [PMID: 31549263 PMCID: PMC6757089 DOI: 10.1186/s41235-019-0193-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Background We present a series of experiments on visual search in a highly complex environment, security closed-circuit television (CCTV). Using real surveillance footage from a large city transport hub, we ask viewers to search for target individuals. Search targets are presented in a number of ways, using naturally occurring images including their passports and photo ID, social media and custody images/videos. Our aim is to establish general principles for search efficiency within this realistic context. Results Across four studies we find that providing multiple photos of the search target consistently improves performance. Three different photos of the target, taken at different times, give substantial performance improvements by comparison to a single target. By contrast, providing targets in moving videos or with biographical context does not lead to improvements in search accuracy. Conclusions We discuss the multiple-image advantage in relation to a growing understanding of the importance of within-person variability in face recognition. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s41235-019-0193-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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36
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Ramon M, Bobak AK, White D. Super-recognizers: From the lab to the world and back again. Br J Psychol 2019; 110:461-479. [PMID: 30893478 PMCID: PMC6767378 DOI: 10.1111/bjop.12368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Revised: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The recent discovery of individuals with superior face processing ability has sparked considerable interest amongst cognitive scientists and practitioners alike. These ‘Super‐recognizers’ (SRs) offer clues to the underlying processes responsible for high levels of face processing ability. It has been claimed that they can help make societies safer and fairer by improving accuracy of facial identity processing in real‐world tasks, for example when identifying suspects from Closed Circuit Television or performing security‐critical identity verification tasks. Here, we argue that the current understanding of superior face processing does not justify widespread interest in SR deployment: There are relatively few studies of SRs and no evidence that high accuracy on laboratory‐based tests translates directly to operational deployment. Using simulated data, we show that modest accuracy benefits can be expected from deploying SRs on the basis of ideally calibrated laboratory tests. Attaining more substantial benefits will require greater levels of communication and collaboration between psychologists and practitioners. We propose that translational and reverse‐translational approaches to knowledge development are critical to advance current understanding and to enable optimal deployment of SRs in society. Finally, we outline knowledge gaps that this approach can help address.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meike Ramon
- Applied Face Cognition Lab, University of Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Anna K Bobak
- Psychology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, UK
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37
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The consistency of superior face recognition skills in police officers. APPLIED COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/acp.3525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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38
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Fysh MC. Individual differences in the detection, matching and memory of faces. Cogn Res Princ Implic 2018; 3:20. [PMID: 30009250 PMCID: PMC6019413 DOI: 10.1186/s41235-018-0111-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2017] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous research has explored relationships between individual performance in the detection, matching and memory of faces, but under limiting conditions. The current study sought to extend previous findings with a different measure of face detection, and a more challenging face matching task, in combination with an established test of face memory. Experiment 1 tested face detection ability under conditions designed to maximise individual differences in accuracy but did not find evidence for relationships between measures. In addition, in Experiments 2 and 3, which utilised response times as the primary performance measure for face detection, but accuracy for face matching and face memory, no correlations were observed between performance on face detection and the other tasks. However, there was a correlation between accuracy in face matching and face memory, consistent with other research. Together, these experiments provide further evidence for a dissociation between face detection, and face matching and face memory, but suggest that these latter tasks share some common mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew C. Fysh
- School of Psychology, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NP UK
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Connolly HL, Young AW, Lewis GJ. Recognition of facial expression and identity in part reflects a common ability, independent of general intelligence and visual short-term memory. Cogn Emot 2018; 33:1119-1128. [DOI: 10.1080/02699931.2018.1535425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah L. Connolly
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, UK
| | - Andrew W. Young
- Department of Psychology, University of York, Heslington, York, UK
| | - Gary J. Lewis
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, UK
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Bruce V, Bindemann M, Lander K. Individual differences in face perception and person recognition. COGNITIVE RESEARCH-PRINCIPLES AND IMPLICATIONS 2018; 3:18. [PMID: 30009248 PMCID: PMC6019416 DOI: 10.1186/s41235-018-0109-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 05/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Karen Lander
- 3University of Manchester, Oxford Rd, Manchester, England
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