Face perception : expression and identity information are not extracted independently

Most models of face perception assume that the identity and expression of the face are extracted by neurally and functionally separate processing streams, although there are some recent data that suggest some interdependence. In the current study both a priming/interference paradigm, using a speeded decision task, and an adapt/aftereffect paradigm were used to test this assumption. In the speeded decision task, subjects were asked to name the expression or identity of a face that had been preceded by a rapidly presented face with the same or a different identity and/or expression. In the aftereffect task subjects judged the identity of faces that were morphs between two individuals or the expression of morphs between different expressions after adapting to one of the identities or expressions. The speeded decision task produced data consistent with the possibility that a single mechanism is responsible for extracting both expression and identity information, and results from the aftereffect task suggested that there is a common mechanism, but also functionally independent expression- and identity-specific mechanisms.1 page(s