The Effect of Real-World Personal Familiarity on the Speed of Face Information Processing

Abstract

BackgroundPrevious studies have explored the effects of familiarity on various kinds of visual face judgments, yet the role of familiarity in face processing is not fully understood. Across different face judgments and stimulus sets, the data is equivocal as to whether or not familiarity impacts recognition processes.Methodology/Principal FindingsHere, we examine the effect of real-world personal familiarity in three simple delayed-match-to-sample tasks in which subjects were required to match faces on the basis of orientation (upright v. inverted), gender and identity. We find that subjects had a significant speed advantage with familiar faces in all three tasks, with large effects for the gender and identity matching tasks.Conclusion/SignificanceOur data indicates that real-world experience with a face exerts a powerful influence on face processing in tasks where identity information is irrelevant, even in tasks that could in principle be solved via low-level cues. These results underscore the importance of experience in shaping visual recognition processes.

Automatic identification of familiar faces

“…This finding suggests that identification is more efficient for familiar faces than unfamiliar faces. Human behavioral data also suggest that familiar faces are processed faster than unfamiliar faces for several different judgments, such as orientation, gender, and identity (Balas, Cox, & Conwell, 2007). Also, Jackson and Raymond (2006) found that familiar T2 faces were immune to the AB effect (suggesting automaticity), whereas unfamiliar faces were not (but see also Awh et al, 2004).…”

Spatiotemporal changes in neural response patterns to faces varying in visual familiarity

“…Behaviorally, there is a speed advantage for processing familiar versus unfamiliar faces (e.g., Balas et al, 2007). In neural terms, the rationale for examining the temporal characteristics of the response comes from studies that suggest temporally based response characteristics of the fusiform gyrus for unfamiliar and familiar faces.…”

Neural correlates of personally familiar faces: Parents, partner and own faces

“…All personally familiar faces have associations with an accumulation of experiences and social interactions. As they are processed frequently and repeatedly, in a range of conditions, this extensive experience is likely reflected in neural processes [Balas et al, 2007]. We wished to determine whether personally familiar faces are processed similarly to unfamiliar faces and whether there are distinct neural activation patterns across the different types of personally familiar faces.…”