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The role of the eye region for familiar face recognition: Evidence from spatial low-pass filtering and contrast negation

Quinn, Bartholomew P.A.; Wiese, Holger

The role of the eye region for familiar face recognition: Evidence from spatial low-pass filtering and contrast negation Thumbnail


Authors

Bartholomew P.A. Quinn



Abstract

What information is used for familiar face recognition? While previous research suggests a particular importance of the eye region, information from the rest of the face also needs to be integrated. What type of information is used in conjunction with the eyes is largely unclear. In three experiments, participants were asked to recognise so-called face chimeras, in which the eye region was not manipulated while the rest of the face was either presented in negative contrast (contrast chimeras) or low-pass filtered (blur chimeras). We show (i) that both chimeras are recognised substantially better than fully blurred faces, (ii) that the recognition advantage for blur chimeras is specific to the eye region but cannot be explained by cues available in this part of the face alone, and (iii) that a combination of negative contrast and blurring outside of the eye region eliminates the chimera advantage. We conclude that full-frequency but distorted surface reflectance cues (in contrast chimeras) or coarse shape information (in blur chimeras) can be used in combination with the eye region for effective face recognition. Our findings further suggest that the face recognition system can flexibly use both types of information, depending on availability.

Citation

Quinn, B. P., & Wiese, H. (2023). The role of the eye region for familiar face recognition: Evidence from spatial low-pass filtering and contrast negation. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 76(2), 338-349. https://doi.org/10.1177/17470218221085990

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Feb 8, 2022
Online Publication Date Feb 23, 2022
Publication Date 2023-02
Deposit Date Feb 26, 2022
Publicly Available Date Mar 3, 2022
Journal Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology
Print ISSN 1747-0218
Electronic ISSN 1747-0226
Publisher SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 76
Issue 2
Pages 338-349
DOI https://doi.org/10.1177/17470218221085990

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Copyright Statement
This contribution has been accepted for publication in Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology.






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