title: Face recognition impairments despite normal holistic processing and face space coding: evidence from a case of developmental prosopagnosia.
abstract: Holistic processing and face space coding are widely considered primary perceptual mechanisms behind good face recognition. Here, however, we present the case of S.P., a developmental prosopagnosic who demonstrated severe impairments in face memory and face perception, yet showed normal holistic processing and face space coding. Across three composite experiments, S.P. showed normal-strength holistic processing for upright faces and no composite effect for inverted faces. Across five aftereffect experiments, S.P. showed normal-sized face aftereffects, which derived normally from face space rather than shape-generic mechanisms. The case of S.P. implies: (a) normal holistic processing and face space coding can be insufficient for good face recognition even when present in combination; and (b) the focus of recent literature on holistic processing and face space should be expanded to include other potential face processing mechanisms (e.g., part-based processing). Our article also highlights the importance of internal task reliability in drawing inferences from single-case studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia. bagus.t.susilo@dartmouth.edu
authors.forename: Tirta
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Susilo
authors.forename: Elinor
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: McKone
authors.forename: Hugh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dennett
authors.forename: Hayley
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Darke
authors.forename: Romina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Palermo
authors.forename: Ashleigh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: Madeleine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pidcock
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dawel
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jeffery
authors.forename: C Ellie
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Gillian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rhodes
mesh_terms: D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D004192:Discrimination, Psychological; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D005366:Figural Aftereffect / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual / Q000502:physiology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D020238:Prosopagnosia / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D011594:Psychometrics; D011930:Reaction Time; D014163:Transfer, Psychology; D014706:Verbal Learning; D055815:Young Adult