Breaking face processing tasks apart to improve their predictive value in the real world: A comment on Ramon, Bobak, and White (2019)

Abstract

In this commentary, I will expand on three aspects suggested by Ramon et al. (2019, British Journal of Psychology, 110, 461) to improve the predictive value of laboratory-based tasks in real-world applications. There are potential benefits that may arise from three interrelated considerations, particularly in terms of predicting agents' susceptibility to errors in operational settings. The first is a proposal to conduct a detailed examination of performance on face processing tests rather than only analysing overall accuracy scores. The second involves considering non-face-related cognitive and meta-cognitive subprocesses involved in face processing tasks. The third highlights the contribution of superior recognisers in creating challenging tests that simulate difficult real-world situations.

Towards a ‘manifesto’ for super‐recognizer research

“…Together, these responses reflect the vast interest in this topic over recent years and the positive steps that are already underway to address the gap between the laboratory and the world (e.g., in test development; Robertson & Bindemann, 2019;Bate, Portch, Mestry, & Bennetts, 2019;Devue, 2019), including the emergence of collaborative groups comprising academics and experienced face identification practitioners (Moreton, Pike, & Havard, 2019). Together, these responses reflect the vast interest in this topic over recent years and the positive steps that are already underway to address the gap between the laboratory and the world (e.g., in test development; Robertson & Bindemann, 2019;Bate, Portch, Mestry, & Bennetts, 2019;Devue, 2019), including the emergence of collaborative groups comprising academics and experienced face identification practitioners (Moreton, Pike, & Havard, 2019).…”

“…Twelve respected researchers took the time to respond thoughtfully to our article, and to extend the ideas we put forward. Together, these responses reflect the vast interest in this topic over recent years and the positive steps that are already underway to address the gap between the laboratory and the world (e.g., in test development; Robertson & Bindemann, 2019;Bate, Portch, Mestry, & Bennetts, 2019;Devue, 2019), including the emergence of collaborative groups comprising academics and experienced face identification practitioners (Moreton, Pike, & Havard, 2019).…”

“…Therefore, the more realistic and pragmatic approach is to conceptualize a framework for assessing discrete and distinguishable cognitive (sub)processes (Bate et al, 2019;Devue, 2019;Ramon et al, 2019), as well as clearly defined tasks of interest (Devue, 2019;Moreton et al, 2019;Ramon et al, 2019). The main reason is that any such potential agreement is insufficiently flexible to accommodate the continuously changing demands of real-world challenges that practitioners are confronted with.…”

“…The main reason is that any such potential agreement is insufficiently flexible to accommodate the continuously changing demands of real-world challenges that practitioners are confronted with. Therefore, the more realistic and pragmatic approach is to conceptualize a framework for assessing discrete and distinguishable cognitive (sub)processes (Bate et al, 2019;Devue, 2019;Ramon et al, 2019), as well as clearly defined tasks of interest (Devue, 2019;Moreton et al, 2019;Ramon et al, 2019). Ideally, this framework would be adopted by researchers and practitioners from a range of disciplines interested in identifying individuals with superior processing abilitiesbe it for deployment or fundamental research purposes.…”

“…The practices developed under this framework will ultimately serve to characterize the boundaries and biases associated with superior ability, in order to best match individuals with the highly varied roles and contexts that characterize real-world tasks (Bate et al, 2019;Devue, 2019). To the extent that the tests are reliable, this approach can also provide theoretical insights into associated and dissociated abilities within the person perception system (Young & Noyes, 2019;cf.…”