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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Main Authors: Stella J Faerber, Jürgen M Kaufmann, Helmut Leder, Eva Maria Martin, Stefan R Schweinberger
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2016-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC4864226?pdf=render
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spelling 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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