Memory conjunction errors for realistic faces are consistent with configural processing.
Conjunction faces are formed from feature sets learned across different faces. In previous studies, false alarms ("old" responses) to conjunctions have been very high, approaching hits to old faces; this is surprising, because, perceptually, upright faces are processed configurally, with strong integration of parts into the whole. We test the idea that the atypical reliance on unrelated parts could be due to using unnatural line drawings as stimuli, and to forming conjunctions across external features (e.g., hair) and internal features (e.g., eyes, mouth). We used realistic face stimuli and conjunctions made entirely from internal features. Results were, as expected, consistent with configural processing for upright faces (hits to old faces much greater than FA to conjunctions) and not for inverted faces (hits to old = FA to conjunctions).
McKone
Elinor
E
School of Psychology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia. elinor.mckone@anu.edu.au
Peh
Yu Xi
YX
D001245:Association Learning; D001288:Attention; D004193:Discrimination Learning; D005145:Face; D005149:Facial Expression; D005364:Field Dependence-Independence; D006801:Humans; D011939:Mental Recall; D009949:Orientation; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual; D011601:Psychophysics; D012153:Retention, Psychology