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.
McQuiston-Surrett
Dawn
D
Arizona State University, Glendale, AZ 85306, USA. dawn.mcquiston@asu.edu
Topp
Lisa D
LD
D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D015982:Bias; D005006:Ethnicity; D005149:Facial Expression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D014796:Visual Perception