The effects of discrimination training on the recognition of white and oriental faces

Abstract

Recognition for faces of whites and orientals was investigated using white Ss at a predominantly white university. Ss who participated in a discrimination training, or practice, session involving a paired-associate (PA) task with oriental faces scored significantly higher on a subsequent recognition test involving oriental faces than did Ss who received no practice or Ss who received practice involving white faces. Ss who practiced with white faces did not score significantly higher on the recognition test than Ss without practice or Ss who saw oriental faces during the practice session. These results lend support to a differential experience hypothesis, with the possibility of schema functioning as a mediator of differential experience. © 1973, The Psychonomic Society, Inc.. All rights reserved.