Individual differences in face processing captured by ERPs

Cognitive and neural markers of super-recognisers’ face processing superiority and enhanced cross-age effect

“…Surprisingly, given that earliest ERPs associated with face recognition are activated later (N250), SRs' P1 amplitudes for recognised faces (hits) were significantly greater than controls. Enhanced P1 activation in good, but not poor recognisers (1 SD above or below the estimated population mean on the CFMT, respectively) was also found by Turano et al (2016), although this was during encoding rather than recognition. The authors suggested effects indicated more effective allocation of attentional resources during face learning.…”

“…However, given that the current study found no encoding effects, SRs' enhanced P1 for hits is likely to reflect more effective pictorial processing of faces they have previously been exposed to, and subsequently responded 'old' to. Indeed, Turano et al (2016) demonstrated that early ERP amplitudes can be modulated by face familiarity in good recognisers. Therefore the recognised face identities appear to have attenuated P1 amplitudes in SRs, potentially resulting in a more effective processing.…”

“…Electrophysiological markers of face recognition ability and the cross-age effect Although no published research has investigated this in SRs, electroencephalography (EEG) studies demonstrate that face recognition proficiency is reflected in specific electrophysiological correlates. Compared to individuals with poor abilities, good face recognition is associated with greater amplitudes in P1 (positive peak at around 100ms after stimulus onset) (Turano, Marzi, & Viggiano, 2016), an Event Related Potential (ERP) associated with attention allocation and pictorial processing (Luck, 2005). Turano et al (2016) also found that N170, a negative peak approximately 170ms after stimulus onset, and associated with face structural encoding (e.g., Bentin, Allison, Puce, Perez, & McCarthy, 1996) is enhanced in reaction to recognised faces in individuals with good, but not poor recognition ability.…”

“…Compared to individuals with poor abilities, good face recognition is associated with greater amplitudes in P1 (positive peak at around 100ms after stimulus onset) (Turano, Marzi, & Viggiano, 2016), an Event Related Potential (ERP) associated with attention allocation and pictorial processing (Luck, 2005). Turano et al (2016) also found that N170, a negative peak approximately 170ms after stimulus onset, and associated with face structural encoding (e.g., Bentin, Allison, Puce, Perez, & McCarthy, 1996) is enhanced in reaction to recognised faces in individuals with good, but not poor recognition ability. N250 (negative peak between 200-300ms) and P600 (positive peak between 500-700ms, interchangeably referred to as Late Positive Component), ERPs linked to implicit and explicit face recognition, respectively (e.g., Düzel, Yonelinas, Mangun, Heinze, & Tulving, 1997;Eimer, Gosling, & Duchaine, 2012), also generate weaker amplitudes in DPs than controls (e.g., Eimer et al, 2012; for a review see Towler & Eimer, 2012).…”

“…The following left and right hemisphere ERPs were examined given that previous research has found these may play a key role in face processing: (a) P1 channels O1/O2, time range 70-160ms (e.g., Turano et al, 2016), (b) N170, T5/T6, 110-220ms (e.g., Turano et al, 2016), (c) N250, T5/T6, 220-310ms (Yang et al, 2014), (d) P600, P3/Pz/P4, 500-700ms (e.g., Düzel et al, 1997). For learning trials on the Adult and Infant Face Recognition Tests, grand-averages were computed for P1/N170 to measure early perceptual components.…”