P313 Individual differences in neural representations of face dimensions: Insights from Super-Recognisers
Martina Ventura*1, Tijl Grootswagers1,3, Manuel Varlet1,2, David White2, James D. Dunn2, Genevieve L. Quek1
1The MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
2School of Psychology, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
3School of Computer, Data and Mathematical Sciences, Western Sydney University, Sydney Australia
4School of Psychology, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
*E-mail:martina.ventura@westernsydney.edu.au
Introduction
Face processing is crucial for social interaction, with faces conveying information about identity, emotions, sex, age, and intentions [1]. Recent research has revealed significant individual differences in face recognition ability, with some people displaying exceptional face recognition skills – defined as Super-Recognisers [2,3].However, the brain mechanisms underpinning their superior ability remain unknown, including whether their exceptional face recognition is restricted to identity or also extends to other face dimensions such as sex and age.
Methods
Here we use Electroencephalography (EEG) to investigate the neural processes underlying face dimensions representations in Super-Recognisers (N = 12) and Typical-Recognisers (N = 17).We recorded 64 channel EEG while participants saw 400 naturalistic face images (40 distinct identities stratified by sex, age, and ethnicity) in a rapid 5 Hz randomized stream. We used Multi-Variate Pattern Analysis to measure the strength and temporal dynamics of neural encoding of different facial dimensions in both Super-and Typical-Recognisers.
Results
Our results showed that face identity decoding was stronger forSuper-RecognisersthanTypical-Recognisersstarting around 300ms - a time window typically associated with identity-related processing. In contrast, no differences were found between groups’ decoding profiles for face age, face sex, or face ethnicity.
Discussion
These results suggest that theSuper-Recognisersadvantage may be limited to face identity processing, rather than reflecting a general advantage in face dimension processing. These findings provide a crucial first step toward understanding the neural mechanisms underlying their exceptional face recognition ability.
Acknowledgements
We sincerely appreciate the time and effort of all the participants in this study. Your willingness to take part was essential in making this research possible. Thank you for your valuable contribution.
References
1.Tsao, D. Y., & Livingstone, M. S. (2008). Mechanisms of face perception.Annual review of neuroscience,31, 411–437.https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.neuro.30.051606.094238
2.Russell, R., Duchaine, B., & Nakayama, K. (2009). Super-recognizers: people with extraordinary face recognition ability.Psychonomic bulletin & review,16(2), 252–257.https://doi.org/10.3758/PBR.16.2.252
3.Dunn, J. D., Summersby, S., Towler, A., Davis, J. P., & White, D. (2020). UNSW Face Test: A screening tool for super-recognizers.PloS one,15(11), e0241747. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0241747
