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- Name: Mechanisms of superior face recognition
- Project leader: Asst.-Prof. Dr. Meike Ramon
- Hosting institution: University of Lausanne (previously University of Fribourg)
- Source and type of funding: SNSF PRIMA (Promoting Women in Academia) Grant
- Duration: 5 years (03/2019-present)
- Short description: The scientific domain of face processing is a vibrant, interdisciplinary, and growing field of research that continues to offer novel insights into the functioning of the human brain, as well as generate novel, intriguing questions and implications for practical applications. Currently, we have a wealth of knowledge at our disposal regarding normal face-processing abilities for unfamiliar faces. However, there appears to be a consensus that face processing abilities lie on a continuum, and our firm grasp on the abilities of individuals in the middle “normal” part of that continuum stands in contrast to our limited understanding of the mechanisms associated with both inferior and superior face processing abilities at either extreme of that continuum.This project addresses a novel research area by systematically investigating the mechanisms underlying superior face processing as displayed by so-called “Super-Recognizers” (SRs). Superior face processing is an infant research field with extremely limited, and moreover highly heterogeneous empirical findings, that is nonetheless receiving widespread and increasing public interest. This status quo represents challenges and opportunities alike. Increased interest in this field will facilitate research that will also advance our current knowledge of face processing and human vision. However, transfer to applied settings is in demand now, despite the limited knowledge currently available.This project seeks to bridge the gap between the lab and the real-world to substantially advance our understanding of superior face processing. Collaborations with international law enforcement agencies will enable SR identification based on systematically validated tests used for research purposes. This sample will be complemented with SRs identified under professionally relevant scenarios, with a bespoke assessment tool currently developed for the Criminal Investigation Department of the Berlin Police. Both groups will complete in-depth assessment implemented using portable setups that “bring the lab to the participant’.Characterizing the brain-behavior relationship in SRs, this project seeks to enhance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying superior face processing capacities. Given its implications for theories of human cognition, law enforcement, and automatic face recognition, the findings of this project have fundamental scientific, as well as applied value.
- Link: https://afclab.org/