The mental representation of faces: Spatial and temporal factors

Abstract

Three experiments are reported on the mental representation of faces with respect to the production of a face superiority effect. The effects of varying spatial position of the features and type of accompanying feature were investigated. Variations in attention to facial versus nonfacial features were considered by regression analyses, allowing an assessment of which was the more facelike of any two displays. Such regression analyses may have application to other recognition tasks if attention is divided between aspects of the display. Two further experiments explored the role of exposure duration in face superiority effects. The relationship of the results to models of face recognition is considered. © 1986 Psychonomic Society, Inc.