Cognitive Development of Face Processing

A set of vocabulary flashcards derived from the lecture notes on cognitive development in face processing.

Face Processing

The cognitive and neurological processes involved in recognizing and interpreting human faces.

Prosopagnosia

A neurological condition characterized by the inability to recognize faces.

Face Fusiform Area

A part of the brain that is particularly activated when processing faces.

Person Identity Nodes (PINs)

Elements within the Bruce and Young model that facilitate face recognition.

Face Recognition Units (FRUs)

Subcomponents in the Bruce and Young model that are involved in identifying faces.

Cognitive Development

The progression of learning, understanding, and processing information as an individual grows.

Visual Deprivation

The lack of visual stimuli during critical periods of development.

Two-Process Theory

A theory proposing that face processing involves a subcortical system (CONSPEC) and a cortical system (CONLERN).

Perceptual Narrowing

The process by which an individual's ability to discriminate between stimuli decreases as a result of increased experience with specific stimuli.

Face Detection

The process of recognizing and locating human faces in visual stimuli.

Social Status Assessment

The process of evaluating the social rank or importance of individuals based on facial cues.

Visual Array Approach

A methodology used to test face detection by presenting images in an array.

Saccadic Eye Movements

Quick, simultaneous movements of both eyes in the same direction.

Haxby et al. (2000)

Researchers who described the distributed neural system for face perception.

Cross-Species Face Recognition

The ability of different species, such as primates, to recognize faces.

Inversion Effect

The phenomenon where a face is more difficult to recognize when it is upside down.

Average Representation Activation

The brain's processing of familiar faces by using an average image based on prior encounters.

Cognitive Systems

The mental structures and processes that help in the acquisition, organization, and utilization of knowledge.

Social Interaction

The process of interacting with others, which plays a key role in face recognition.

Eye Contact in Face Detection

The significance of mutual gaze in enhancing the ability to recognize faces.

Plasticity of Face Processing

The ability of the brain to adapt and learn with respect to face recognition throughout development.

Visual Preference

The tendency of infants to show a preference for certain visual stimuli, such as faces.

Environmental Exposure

The range of visual stimuli encountered in daily life affecting the development of face processing abilities.

Head-Camera Studies

Research using cameras worn by infants to document their natural exposure to faces.

Social Engagement

Responses or interactions that signal a connection or communication with others.

Face Saliency Analysis

A method to assess the visual properties that make faces stand out in a visual scene.

Early Face Recognition

Infants' ability to identify familiar faces at a young age.

Neonate

A newborn child, particularly within the first month after birth.

Visual Preference Testing

An experimental method used to assess what stimuli infants prefer to look at.

Distinctiveness in Face Recognition

The unique features of a face that aid in its identification and memorization.

Developmental Challenges

The obstacles faced in the growth of cognitive skills, such as face recognition.

Stimulus Exposure

The frequency and variety of stimuli an individual is exposed to in their environment.

Survival Mechanism

Cognitive abilities that enhance an individual's chances of survival, such as recognizing allies or foes.

Conditioning

The process of learning associations between stimuli and responses during development.

Adaptation in Face Processing

The evolving capability of an individual's face recognition skills in response to different social environments.

Social Category Awareness

The recognition of individuals based on social groups they belong to, such as race or gender.

Discrimination,

The ability to distinguish between different stimuli; crucial in face processing.

Dominance Hierarchy Recognition

Identifying the social ranking of individuals within a group based on facial cues.

Cultural Influences

The effects that cultural exposure has on the perception of faces and race.

Infant Saccadic Responses

The eye movements of infants used to assess their visual attention and processing.

Gaze-Contingent Method

A technique used to study how visual attention is directed based on gaze direction.

Early Visual Experience

The impact of visual stimuli encountered during infancy on cognitive development.

Critical Period for Face Processing

Developmental phases during which the ability to recognize and process faces is particularly sensitive.

Visual Input Density

The concentration of faces encountered in an infant's environment affecting face recognition.