Are Greebles like faces? Using the neuropsychological exception to test the rule.
Which image geometries count as face-like and which do not? Across multiple experiments, novel objects called Greebles have been used to argue that face-specific effects can be obtained with non-face stimuli under certain situations, in particular with expert observers. However, this claim depends on the argument that these non-face stimuli are not a priori treated by the face processing system. To address this question, CK, a neuropsychological patient well-known for exhibiting severe visual object agnosia and dyslexia but intact face processing, was tested with Greebles. CK performed poorly on Greebles, indicating that his intact face-specific abilities do not extend to include Greebles. These results suggest that insofar as CK is relying on face-specific visual processes, these processes do not a priori treat Greebles as faces.
Gauthier
Isabel
I
Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt Vision Research Center, Vanderbilt University, 301 Wilson Hall, Nashville, TN 37203, USA. isabel.gauthier@vanderbilt.edu
Behrmann
Marlene
M
Tarr
Michael J
MJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000377:Agnosia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D004192:Discrimination, Psychological / Q000502:physiology; D004410:Dyslexia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005145:Face / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D021641:Recognition, Psychology / Q000502:physiology*; D012737:Sex Factors