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Demonstrating how unfamiliar faces become familiar using a face matching task

Clutterbuck, Ruth, Johnston, Robert A. (2005) Demonstrating how unfamiliar faces become familiar using a face matching task. European Journal of Cognitive Psychology, 17 (1). pp. 97-116. ISSN 0954-1446. (doi:10.1080/09541440340000439) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:4182)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09541440340000439

Abstract

Two experiments examine a novel method of assessing face familiarity that does not require explicit identification of presented faces. Earlier research (Clutterbuck Johnston, 2002; Young, Hay, MeWeeny, Flude, & Ellis, 1985) has shown that different views of the same face can be matched more quickly for familiar than for unfamiliar faces. This study examines whether exposure to previously novel faces allows the speed with which they can be matched to be increased, thus allowing a means of assessing how faces become familiar. In Experiment 1, participants viewed two sets of unfamiliar faces presented for either many, short intervals or for few, long intervals. At test, previously familiar (famous) faces were matched more quickly than novel faces or learned faces. In addition, learned faces seen on many, brief occasions were matched more quickly than the novel faces or faces seen on fewer, longer occasions. However, this was only observed when participants performed "different" decision matches. In Experiment 2, the similarity between face pairs was controlled more strictly. Once again, matches were performed on familiar faces more quickly than on unfamiliar or learned items. However, matches made to learned faces were significantly faster than those made to completely novel faces. This was now observed for both same and different match decisions. The use of this matching task as a means of tracking how unfamiliar faces become familiar is discussed.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1080/09541440340000439
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Psychology
Depositing User: Rosalind Beeching
Date Deposited: 29 Aug 2008 15:02 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 09:42 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/4182 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Johnston, Robert A..

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