Spatial scaling factors explain eccentricity effects on face ERPs.
Event-related potential (ERP) studies consistently have described a strong, face-sensitive response termed the N170. This component is maximal at the fovea and decreases strongly with eccentricity, a result that could suggest a foveal bias in the cortical generators responsible for face processing. Here we demonstrate that scaling stimulus size according to V1 cortical magnification factor can virtually eliminate face-related eccentricity effects, indicating that eccentricity effects on face ERPs are largely due to low-level visual factors rather than high-level cortical specialization for foveal stimuli.
Rousselet
Guillaume A
GA
Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. rousseg@mcmaster.ca
Husk
Jesse S
JS
Bennett
Patrick J
PJ
Sekuler
Allison B
AB
D000328:Adult; D001931:Brain Mapping; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D005584:Fovea Centralis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D010781:Photography; D011930:Reaction Time; D018401:Sample Size; D013028:Space Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D014793:Visual Cortex / Q000502:physiology; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*