Face Processing in Infancy: Developmental Changes in the Use of Different Kinds of Relational Information

Abstract

Adults use both first-order, or categorical, relations among features (e.g., the nose is above the mouth), and second-order, or fine spatial relations (e.g., the space between eyes), to process faces. Adults' expertise in face processing is thought to be based on the use of second-order relations. In the current study, 5-month-olds detected second-order changes, but 3-month-olds failed to detect second-order changes induced by 2 different manipulations. Three-month-olds did detect first-order changes, however. Also, inversion affected 5-month-olds' processing of second-order but not first-order information. These results suggest that, although sensitivity to first-order relations is available by 3 months or earlier, sensitivity to second-order information may not develop until sometime between 3 and 5 months of age.

Eye contrast polarity is critical for face recognition by infants

“…Bhatt, et al, 2005;Otsuka et al, 2007;Turati, Sangrigoli, Ruely, & de Schonen, 2004) and adults (e.g. Yin, 1969).…”

“…The development of face perception and recognition during infancy has been studied extensively including both the role of experience (Kelly et al, 2007;Kelly et al, 2009;Pascalis, de Haan, & Nelson, 2002) and the aspects of visual information that infants use (Bhatt, Bertin, Hayden, & Reed, 2005;Cohen & Cashone, 2001;Hyden, Bhatt, Reed, Corbly, & Joseph, 2007;Quinn & Tanaka, 2009). However, there are relatively few studies testing the effect of contrast polarity of faces in infants.…”

Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…These results suggested that, although sensitivity to first-order relations is available by 3 months or earlier, sensitivity to second-order information may not develop until sometime between 3 and 5 months of age (Bhatt et al, 2005). Despite of evidence of second-order relational processing in infants, the authors concluded that significant developmental changes occur in later years until adult-like face expertise is achieved (Bhatt et al, 2005).…”

“…Despite of evidence of second-order relational processing in infants, the authors concluded that significant developmental changes occur in later years until adult-like face expertise is achieved (Bhatt et al, 2005).…”

“…In a study of the developmental changes in the use of different kinds of relational information in infants of 3-and 5-months old, Bhatt, Bertin, Hayden & Reed (2005) investigated the Thatcher illusion. This illusion is an orientation face illusion: a face in which the eyes and mouth are inverted relative to the rest of the face, looks grotesque when the face is shown upright but not when shown inverted (Thomson, 1980).…”