Feature processing and superiority of three-quarter views in face recognition

The specificity of face recognition is usually related to the hypothesis th at it could be based mainly on global processing of the whole face. However , this does not mean that more analytic processes, like the local processin g of some features, could not play a role in the recognition process in som e circumstances. An experiment was conducted with 18 normal subjects in ord er to evaluate the role of analytic pl processes in the recognition of face s viewed from different angles. Makeup was applied to eyes and lips to enha nce local processing (local cue). We found a positive effect of the makeup cue, which could he clue to better recognition when the shape of eyes and l ips are highlighted. Also, we found better recognition with left-sided view s compared to right-sided views. Finally, the makeup effect was significant in left three-quarter views but not in right three-quarter views. If this effect is due to analytic processing of some facial features, it could be r elated to a left hemisphere operation. (C) 2001 Academic Press.