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A simple behavioral evaluation test of human face identity recognition with natural images validated with the case of prosopagnosia PS.

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Title: A simple behavioral evaluation test of human face identity recognition with natural images validated with the case of prosopagnosia PS.
Authors: Volfart A; Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Social and Educational Sciences, Institute of Cognitive Science and Assessment, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg., Michel C; Psychological Sciences Research Institute (IPSY), Université de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium., Rossion B; Psychological Sciences Research Institute (IPSY), Université de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium. bruno.rossion@univ-lorraine.fr.; Université de Lorraine, CNRS, IMoPA UMR 7365, Pavillon Krug (1er étage-entrée CC-1), Hopital Central, Nancy, 54000, France. bruno.rossion@univ-lorraine.fr.; Service de Neurologie, CHRU Nancy-University Hospital of Nancy, 29 Av. du maréchal de Lattres de Tassigny, Nancy Cedex, 54035, France. bruno.rossion@univ-lorraine.fr.
Source: Scientific reports [Sci Rep] 2025 Dec 04; Vol. 15 (1), pp. 43149. Date of Electronic Publication: 2025 Dec 04.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Language: English
Journal Info: Publisher: Nature Publishing Group Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 101563288 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2045-2322 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 20452322 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Sci Rep Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s): Original Publication: London : Nature Publishing Group, copyright 2011-
MeSH Terms: Prosopagnosia*/physiopathology , Prosopagnosia*/diagnosis , Facial Recognition*/physiology , Recognition, Psychology* , Face*, Humans ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Photic Stimulation ; Aged ; Pattern Recognition, Visual
Abstract: Behavioral evaluation of face identity recognition (FIR) ability has been performed with images for decades but remains subject to challenges regarding the stimuli and tasks used as well as the measured variables. Here we validate two simple nonverbal tests of FIR with ambient natural face images in neurotypical individuals and the well-documented brain-damaged case of prosopagnosia PS. In the first task, participants must select a famous identity among 3 simultaneously presented pictures. While neurotypical individuals scored almost at ceiling, PS was at chance level. In contrast, she was flawless at the same task with written names. The second task requires matching different views of familiar or unfamiliar faces for their identity against one distractor face, at upright or inverted orientation. While performing well above chance level, PS was significantly impaired and slowed down compared to neurotypical controls. Moreover, unlike controls, she showed no advantage for familiar or upright faces. Altogether, these simple behavioral FIR tests present with numerous advantages in terms of validity (i.e., natural images, lack of response biases, familiarity and inversion effects) and sensitivity (i.e., high contrast between patients and controls), making them particularly advantageous to rapidly evaluate the integrity of this function in normal and pathological populations.
(© 2025. The Author(s).)
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Grant Information: HumanFace 101055175 International ERC_ European Research Council
Contributed Indexing: Keywords: Face identity recognition; Natural images; PS; Prosopagnosia; Single case
Entry Date(s): Date Created: 20251204 Date Completed: 20251204 Latest Revision: 20251207
Update Code: 20251207
PubMed Central ID: PMC12678428
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-27165-9
PMID: 41345168
Database: MEDLINE
Description
Abstract:Behavioral evaluation of face identity recognition (FIR) ability has been performed with images for decades but remains subject to challenges regarding the stimuli and tasks used as well as the measured variables. Here we validate two simple nonverbal tests of FIR with ambient natural face images in neurotypical individuals and the well-documented brain-damaged case of prosopagnosia PS. In the first task, participants must select a famous identity among 3 simultaneously presented pictures. While neurotypical individuals scored almost at ceiling, PS was at chance level. In contrast, she was flawless at the same task with written names. The second task requires matching different views of familiar or unfamiliar faces for their identity against one distractor face, at upright or inverted orientation. While performing well above chance level, PS was significantly impaired and slowed down compared to neurotypical controls. Moreover, unlike controls, she showed no advantage for familiar or upright faces. Altogether, these simple behavioral FIR tests present with numerous advantages in terms of validity (i.e., natural images, lack of response biases, familiarity and inversion effects) and sensitivity (i.e., high contrast between patients and controls), making them particularly advantageous to rapidly evaluate the integrity of this function in normal and pathological populations.<br /> (© 2025. The Author(s).)
ISSN:2045-2322
DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-27165-9