The Role of Familiarity for Representations in Norm-Based Face Space.
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...
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doaj-c6033d3350a64a3a94f5e733541c09d52020-11-24T22:06:25ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032016-01-01115e015538010.1371/journal.pone.0155380The Role of Familiarity for Representations in Norm-Based Face Space.Stella J FaerberJürgen M KaufmannHelmut LederEva Maria MartinStefan R SchweinbergerAccording 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.http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC4864226?pdf=render |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Stella J Faerber Jürgen M Kaufmann Helmut Leder Eva Maria Martin Stefan R Schweinberger |
spellingShingle |
Stella J Faerber Jürgen M Kaufmann Helmut Leder Eva Maria Martin Stefan R Schweinberger The Role of Familiarity for Representations in Norm-Based Face Space. PLoS ONE |
author_facet |
Stella J Faerber Jürgen M Kaufmann Helmut Leder Eva Maria Martin Stefan R Schweinberger |
author_sort |
Stella J Faerber |
title |
The Role of Familiarity for Representations in Norm-Based Face Space. |
title_short |
The Role of Familiarity for Representations in Norm-Based Face Space. |
title_full |
The Role of Familiarity for Representations in Norm-Based Face Space. |
title_fullStr |
The Role of Familiarity for Representations in Norm-Based Face Space. |
title_full_unstemmed |
The Role of Familiarity for Representations in Norm-Based Face Space. |
title_sort |
role of familiarity for representations in norm-based face space. |
publisher |
Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
series |
PLoS ONE |
issn |
1932-6203 |
publishDate |
2016-01-01 |
description |
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. |
url |
http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC4864226?pdf=render |
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