Externalizing visual images: examining the accuracy of facial descriptions vs. composites as a function of the own-race bias.
Two studies investigated whether the recall accuracy of facial details would differ depending on recall method, and also explored the own-race/ethnic bias in face recall. In Experiment 1, Hispanic participants (N = 120) viewed either a Hispanic or a White face and then were asked to recall the face by either giving a physical description or constructing a facial composite. Independent judges then determined the accuracy of the recalled information in both a rating task and a matching task. Results revealed reliably higher accuracy scores for the descriptions over the facial composites but showed no evidence for an own-race bias. A second experiment (N = 120) was conducted to attempt to replicate the description-advantage effect and to further explore the own-race bias in a stronger test using Black faces as the cross-ethnic group. This experiment again showed a description advantage and provided some evidence for an own-race bias in recall similar to that found in the facial recognition literature. Directions for future research based on the current findings are discussed.
Arizona State University, Glendale, AZ 85306, USA. dawn.mcquiston@asu.edu
Dawn
D
McQuiston-Surrett
Lisa D
LD
Topp
D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D015982:Bias; D005006:Ethnicity; D005149:Facial Expression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D014796:Visual Perception