The Role of Familiarity for Representations in Norm-Based Face Space

Abstract

According to the norm-based version of the multidimensional face space model (nMDFS, Valentine, 1991), any given face and its corresponding anti-face (which deviates from the norm in exactly opposite direction as the original face) should be equidistant to a hypothetical prototype face (norm), such that by definition face and anti-face should bear the same level of perceived typicality. However, it has been argued that familiarity affects perceived typicality and that representations of familiar faces are qualitatively different (e.g., more robust and image-independent) from those for unfamiliar faces. Here we investigated the role of face familiarity for rated typicality, using two frequently used operationalisations of typicality (deviation-based: DEV), and distinctiveness (face in the crowd: FITC) for faces of celebrities and their corresponding anti-faces. We further assessed attractiveness, likeability and trustworthiness ratings of the stimuli, which are potentially related to typicality. For unfamiliar faces and their corresponding anti-faces, in line with the predictions of the nMDFS, our results demonstrate comparable levels of perceived typicality (DEV). In contrast, familiar faces were perceived much less typical than their anti-faces. Furthermore, familiar faces were rated higher than their anti-faces in distinctiveness, attractiveness, likability and trustworthiness. These findings suggest that familiarity strongly affects the distribution of facial representations in norm-based face space. Overall, our study suggests (1) that familiarity needs to be considered in studies of mental representations of faces, and (2) that familiarity, general distance-to-norm and more specific vector directions in face space make different and interactive contributions to different types of facial evaluations.

How Familiarity Warps Representation in Face Space

“…Our results also are in line with recent research by Faerber et al (2016), who showed that faces of familiar international celebrities are rated as being less typical than their corresponding antifaces, which is not true for faces of strangers (Austrian celebrities and their corresponding antifaces). Under the face space hypothesis, the average face represents the center of the multidimensional space.…”

Multisensory stimulation modulates perceptual and post perceptual face representations: Evidence from event‐related potentials

“…The P200 has been reported to be reduced for familiar faces (e.g., Itz, Schweinberger, Schulz, & Kaufmann, ). Although this finding could be a by‐product of increased perceived distinctiveness for familiar compared to unfamiliar faces (Faerber, Kaufmann, Leder, Martin, & Schweinberger, ), it is consistent with the learning effects observed in the P200 for the TF. Interestingly, in contrast to the SF, this learning effect was consequence of overt learning of the target face.…”

Die anderen und ich: Wie soziale Interaktionen die Wahrnehmung des anderen verändern. Das Cyberball-Paradigma und seine Indikationen im Migrationskontext

“…Im Gegensatz dazu scheint die Bewertung der Fähigkeit, einer Person zu helfen oder zu schaden (Aggressivität / Dominanz) [16], gegenüber der im Cyberball-Paradigma vorgenommenen experimentellen Variation des Sozialverhaltens unempfindlich zu sein. (1) Vertrauenswürdigkeit ist positiv mit der Vertrautheit von Gesichtern assoziiert [36]. Gesichter, die für den eigenen Kulturraum als typisch gelten, sind im Vergleich zu in anderen Kulturräumen typischen Gesichtern vertrauter und könnten daher auch als vertrauenswürdiger wahrgenommen werden [37].…”