Reliability of individual differences in neural face identity discrimination

Stacchi, Lisa; Liu‐Shuang, Joan; Ramon, Meike; Caldara, Roberto

doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2019.01.023

Cited by 22 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…While group studies have previously dominated the field, more recently an increasing interest in individual differences has emerged, both at the behavioral and neural level (cf. Bruce et al, 2018;Stacchi, Liu-Shuang, Ramon, & Caldara, 2019). A growing body of work has focused on identifying and characterizing individuals with remarkable face processing abilities, the so-called SRs (Ramon et al, 2019a(Ramon et al, , 2019bRussell et al, 2009).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Normative data for two challenging tests of face matching under ecological conditions

et al. 2020

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Background: Unfamiliar face processing is an ability that varies considerably between individuals. Numerous studies have aimed to identify its underlying determinants using controlled experimental procedures. While such tests can isolate variables that influence face processing, they usually involve somewhat unrealistic situations and optimized face images as stimulus material. As a consequence, the extent to which the performance observed under laboratory settings is informative for predicting real-life proficiency remains unclear. Results: We present normative data for two ecologically valid but underused tests of face matching: the Yearbook Test (YBT) and the Facial Identity Card Sorting Test (FICST). The YBT (n = 252) measures identity matching across substantial age-related changes in facial appearance, while the FICST (n = 218) assesses the ability to process unfamiliar facial identity despite superficial image variations. To determine the predictive value of both tests, a subsample of our cohort (n = 181) also completed a commonly used test of face recognition and two tests of face perception (the long form of the Cambridge Face Memory Test (CFMT+), the Expertise in Facial Comparison Test (EFCT) and the Person Identification Challenge Test (PICT)). Conclusions: Focusing on the top performers identified independently per test, we made two important observations: 1) YBT and FICST performance can predict CFMT+ scores and vice versa; and 2) EFCT and PICT scores neither reliably predict superior performance in ecologically meaningful and challenging tests of face matching, nor in the most commonly used test of face recognition. These findings emphasize the necessity for using challenging and ecologically relevant, and thus highly sensitive, tasks of unfamiliar face processing to identify high-performing individuals in the normal population.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Normative data for two challenging tests of face matching under ecological conditions

et al. 2020

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“…The FI response varies substantially across individuals in terms of scalp EEG amplitude (e.g., Dzhelyova et al, 2019; Liu‐Shuang et al., 2014; Stacchi, Liu‐Shuang, Ramon, & Caldara, 2019; Stacchi, Ramon, et al, 2019; Xu et al., 2017; Figures 7d and 12a), ranging between ~0.25 and 4 µV in our large‐scale group analysis ( N = 130; again, see Appendix S1). Thus, individuals can have up to over tenfold differences in their FI response amplitude.…”

Section: Insights Into Face Individuationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding human individuation of unfamiliar faces with oddball fast periodic visual stimulation and electroencephalography

Rossion

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Liu‐Shuang³

2020

Eur J of Neuroscience

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To investigate face individuation (FI), a critical brain function in the human species, an oddball fast periodic visual stimulation (FPVS) approach was recently introduced (Liu‐Shuang et al., Neuropsychologia, 2014, 52, 57). In this paradigm, an image of an unfamiliar “base” facial identity is repeated at a rapid rate F (e.g., 6 Hz) and different unfamiliar “oddball” facial identities are inserted every nth item, at a F/n rate (e.g., every 5th item, 1.2 Hz). This stimulation elicits FI responses at F/n and its harmonics (2F/n, 3F/n, etc.), reflecting neural discrimination between oddball versus base facial identities, which is quantified in the frequency domain of the electroencephalogram (EEG). This paradigm, used in 20 published studies, demonstrates substantial advantages for measuring FI in terms of validity, objectivity, reliability, and sensitivity. Human intracerebral recordings suggest that this FI response originates from neural populations in the lateral inferior occipital and fusiform gyri, with a right hemispheric dominance consistent with the localization of brain lesions specifically affecting facial identity recognition (prosopagnosia). Here, we summarize the contributions of the oddball FPVS framework toward understanding FI, including its (a)typical development, with early studies supporting the application of this technique to clinical testing (e.g., autism spectrum disorder). This review also includes an in‐depth analysis of the paradigm's methodology, with guidelines for designing future studies. A large‐scale group analysis compiling data across 130 observers provides insights into the oddball FPVS FI response properties. Overall, we recommend the oddball FPVS paradigm as an alternative approach to behavioral or traditional event‐related potential EEG measures of face individuation.

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“…A potential alternative way to measure individual differences in face individuation is to use global (i.e., system-level) neurophysiological indexes. Specifically, by coupling fast periodic visual stimulation (FPVS) with human electroencephalography (EEG), one can obtain measures of unfamiliar face individuation that are sensitive, taking only a few minutes of data collection (Alonso-Prieto, Van Belle, Liu-Shuang, Norcia, & Rossion, 2013; Dzhelyova & Rossion, 2014a, 2014b; Liu-Shuang, Norcia, & Rossion, 2014; Rossion & Boremanse, 2011; Rossion, Prieto, Boremanse, Kuefner, & Van Belle, 2012; Xu, Liu-Shuang, Rossion, & Tanaka, 2017), and highly reliable (Dzhelyova et al., 2019; Stacchi, Liu-Shuang, Ramon, & Caldara, 2019). Compared with behavioral measures, this electrophysiological approach has several important advantages.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…reflect common visual processing of all visual stimuli, responses at 6 Hz/5 and its specific harmonics (1.2 Hz, 2.4 Hz, etc.) can be taken as an index of rapid (i.e., single-glanced) individuation of faces (Dzhelyova & Rossion, 2014a, 2014b; Dzhelyova et al., 2019; Liu-Shuang et al., 2014; Liu-Shuang, Torfs, & Rossion, 2016; Stacchi et al., 2019; Xu et al., 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Relationship Between the Benton Face Recognition Test and Electrophysiological Unfamiliar Face Individuation Response as Revealed by Fast Periodic Stimulation

2020

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A recent approach to implicitly study face recognition skills has been the fast periodic visual stimulation (FPVS) coupled with electroencephalography (EEG). Its relationship with explicit behavioral measures of face individuation remains largely undocumented. We evaluated the relationship of the FPVS–EEG measure of individuation and performance at a computer version of the Benton Face Recognition Test. High-density EEG was recorded in 32 participants presented with an unfamiliar face at a rate of 6 Hz (F) for 60 s. Every five faces, new identities were inserted. The resulting 1.2 Hz (F/5) EEG response and its harmonics objectively indexed rapid individuation of unfamiliar faces. The robust individuation response, observed over occipitotemporal sites, was significantly correlated with speed, but not accuracy rate of the computer version of the Benton Face Recognition Test. This effect was driven by a few individuals who were particularly slow at the behavioral test and also showed the lowest face individuation response. These results highlight the importance of considering the time taken to recognize a face, as a complementary to accuracy rate variable, providing valuable information about one’s recognition skills. Overall, these observations strengthen the diagnostic value of FPVS–EEG as an objective and rapid flag for specific difficulties at individual face recognition in the human population.

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Reliability of individual differences in neural face identity discrimination

Cited by 22 publications

References 25 publications

Normative data for two challenging tests of face matching under ecological conditions

Normative data for two challenging tests of face matching under ecological conditions

Understanding human individuation of unfamiliar faces with oddball fast periodic visual stimulation and electroencephalography

The Relationship Between the Benton Face Recognition Test and Electrophysiological Unfamiliar Face Individuation Response as Revealed by Fast Periodic Stimulation

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