In masks we trust: explicit and implicit reactions to masked faces vary by political orientation.

Previous studies in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic indicated that wearing a medical-style mask affects whether a stranger's face is judged as more trustworthy, socially desirable, or likely to be ill. However, given political controversies around mask use, these effects might vary by political orientation. In a pre-registered online experiment, we measured evaluations of trustworthiness, social desirability and perceived illness in masked and unmasked faces by 1241 British and US participants. We included questions on political orientation, along with the implicit online-VAAST approach/avoid task to test reaction times to masked/unmasked faces. There was a medium-sized effect of masks on trustworthiness and a significant interaction with political orientation, in that conservatives found masked faces less trustworthy than did liberals. Participants were quicker to approach masked than unmasked faces, but conservatives were relatively slower than liberals. The effects on trustworthiness suggest that differential moralization of novel social norms can affect how their adherents are evaluated in terms of their suitability for social interactions. Furthermore, the congruence between implicit and explicit methods implies that such differences can have deep-seated effects on reactions.

Facial processing in bipolar disorder is mediated by clinical and biological aspects

Objective: The process of detecting faces can be considered one of the initial steps in face recognition, which is essential for human interaction. We sought to investigate whether a face perception task reliably detects subtle perceptual disturbances between patients with bipolar disorder (BD) and healthy controls. Methods: In this multisite study, we examined differences between BD patients and matched healthy controls. Participants were instructed to detect the orientation (either left or right) of a face when it was presented as a face/non-face pair on a computer screen using Bayesian entropy estimation. Data analyses compared performance between the groups. Results: Overall, BD patients exhibited more perceptual disturbances compared with controls. BD patients who took olanzapine had better performance and faster reaction times (RTs) than patients who took lithium or were medication-naive. BD patients who took lithium had better performance and faster RTs than medication-naive patients. The medication-naive BD group exhibited greater disturbances than all other groups. Conclusion: These findings highlight the reliability of the face perception task used herein and may be important for public health initiatives and follow-up studies that seek to understand the diverse effects of other variables that can affect sensory processing in this population.

Face memory deficit in visually impaired children who live in a developing country.

PURPOSE: The development of face processing abilities is a continuous process reaching maturity in adulthood. To achieve it in plenitude, children must have an adequate visual function. The purpose of this study was to assess how the face memory ability of children with visual impairment living in a developing country compares to those with normal vision in the same setting. METHODS: This was a case-control study. Children with visual impairment of different causes and age-matched normal controls underwent a complete eye examination and the Cambridge Face Memory Test for Children (CFMT-C). Images were presented on a computer screen and the test results were expressed as a percentage of right answers (%). Children with impaired vision were assorted into binocular and monocular deficiency and the groups were compared with the Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: The sample comprised 40 children with visual impairment and 31 age-matched controls. The groups did not differ in age and gender distribution. Patients with binocular impairment (18 subjects) had lower mean CFMT-C scores, as compared to monocular patients (22 patients with strabismic amblyopia) and children with normal vision (57.7 ± 18.9, 76.2 ± 15.6, and 71.3 ± 12.7, respectively, p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Children with binocular visual impairment had diminished face memory ability. Amblyopia due to strabismus did not affect face memory. Attempts should focus on the prevention of visual loss and early rehabilitation so that these children can develop adequate face memory ability.

Influencia de la edad, sexo y ocupación sobre la percepción estética del perfil facial / Influence of age, sex and occupation on the aesthetic perception of the facial profile

Objective: To study the infuence of age, sex, and occupation in determining the aesthetic perception of the facial profle in the Chilean population through the analysis of silhouettes. Methods: From a profle photograph, a digital silhouette was designed, which was modifed with 2mm movements from the original position of the chin, simulating mandibular protrusion and retrusion. The use of silhouettes allows for eliminating various distractions, prejudices, and predispositions when making an aesthetic judgment. All participants accepted informed consent. Results: 112 participants with a mean age of 33.99 ± 8.28 years were surveyed. When analyzing the most aesthetic option was a straight profle, followed by a slight retrusion of -2mm and a protrusion of +2mm. The least esthetic option was a severe protrusion of +12mm. Both results were repeated in all the groups analyzed. Conclusions: The results present similarities with the literature, however, the low concordance in this study may be due to possible indirect infuences due to the contrast of the images that made up each set and the limited size of the studied sample. The present study was the frst of these characteristics in a Chilean population.

Objetivo: estudiar la infuencia de la edad, sexo y ocupación en la determinación de la percepción estética del perfl facial en la población chilena mediante el análisis de siluetas. Métodos: a partir de una fotografía de perfl se diseñó una silueta digital la cual se modifcó con movimientos de 2mm desde la posición original del mentón simulando una protrusión y retrusión mandibular. El uso de siluetas permite eliminar diversas distracciones, prejuicios y predisposiciones al momento de emitir un juicio estético. Todos los participantes aceptaron el consentimiento informado. Resultados: se encuestaron 112 participantes con una edad media de 33.99 ± 8.28 años. Al analizar la opción más estética fue un perfl recto, seguido de una leve retrusión de -2mm y una protrusión de +2mm. La opción menos estética fue una protrusión severa de +12mm. Ambos resultados se repitieron en todos los grupos analizados. Conclusiones: los resultados presentan similitudes con la literatura, sin embargo, la baja concordancia en este estudio puede deberse a posibles infuencias indirectas por contraste de las imágenes que compusieron cada set y el limitado tamaño de la muestra estudiada. El presente estudio fue el primero de estas características en la población chilena.

Facial processing in bipolar disorder is mediated by clinical and biological aspects.

OBJECTIVE: The process of detecting faces can be considered one of the initial steps in face recognition, which is essential for human interaction. We sought to investigate whether a face perception task reliably detects subtle perceptual disturbances between patients with bipolar disorder (BD) and healthy controls. METHODS: In this multisite study, we examined differences between BD patients and matched healthy controls. Participants were instructed to detect the orientation (either left or right) of a face when it was presented as a face/non-face pair on a computer screen using Bayesian entropy estimation. Data analyses compared performance between the groups. RESULTS: Overall, BD patients exhibited more perceptual disturbances compared with controls. BD patients who took olanzapine had better performance and faster reaction times (RTs) than patients who took lithium or were medication-naive. BD patients who took lithium had better performance and faster RTs than medication-naive patients. The medication-naive BD group exhibited greater disturbances than all other groups. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the reliability of the face perception task used herein and may be important for public health initiatives and follow-up studies that seek to understand the diverse effects of other variables that can affect sensory processing in this population.

Swiping right: face perception in the age of Tinder.

With an estimated 50 million or more users worldwide, Tinder has become one of the most popular mobile dating applications. Although judgments of physical attractiveness are assumed to drive the "swiping" decisions that lead to matches, we propose that there is an additional evaluative dimension driving behind these decisions: judgments of moral character. With the aim of adding empirical support for this proposition, we critically review the most striking findings about first impressions extracted from faces, moral character in person perception, creepiness, and the uncanny valley, as they apply to Tinder behavior. Drawing on this research and the evolutionary theory of biological markets, we formulate several hypotheses that offer directions for future studies of Tinder and other dating apps. We conclude that research on face perception of novel targets supports the plausibility of moral character as a potential factor affecting the swiping decisions and subsequent behavior of Tinder users.

Face memory deficits in subjects with eye diseases: a comparative analysis between glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration patients from a developing country.

PURPOSE: Older people present significant declines in face recognition with age. Spatial vision (high-contrast acuity) and age are the best predictors of face recognition. Visual disabilities are more common in the older population due to aging eye diseases. The purpose of the study was to compare the face recognition memory deficit between primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) patients living in a developing country. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional, observational study. The sample comprised 64 patients with POAG, 48 with ARMD, and 52 controls. All groups were matched for age, gender, comorbidity, and ethnic distribution. Evidence of cognitive impairment was ruled out and subjects with even mild cognitive impairment were not included in the study. After a complete eye examination including measurement of the best-corrected visual acuity, fundus evaluation, and automated visual field, all subjects underwent the Cambridge face memory test (CFMT). CFMT score in percentage (%) was the main outcome measure and data were compared with ANOVA. RESULTS: The mean age was 66.6 ± 9.2, 69.8 ± 9.3, and 63.4 ± 7.3 years, for POAG, ARMD, and controls, respectively (P = 0.152). Gender, ethnicity, and comorbidity were evenly distributed among the groups. The CFMT score was 53.3 ± 15.2%, 49.8 ± 14.2%, and 62.1 ± 15.9% for POAG, ARMD, and controls, respectively (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: ARMD and POAG patients have higher face recognition memory deficit as compared to normal controls. This might be due to a visual disability.

Eyewitnesses memory for faces in actual criminal cases: An archival analysis of positive facial composites / Memória de testemunhas oculares para faces em casos criminais: Uma análise de arquivo de retratos falados positivos / Memoria de testigos oculares para rostros en casos criminales: Un análisis de archivo de retratos hablados positivos

Facial composites are crucial in the criminal justice system. In this archival study, we investigated the assumption that the success of facial composites depends partly on variables related to the crime, which either impairs or facilitates mnemonic processes. When a facial composite is successful in taking an offender to court it is sometimes archived as a positive facial composite, including a photo of the culprit and information about the crime. A total of 88 positive facial composites were investigated. The accuracy of facial composites was tested as a function of five variables related to the crime: type of crime, presence of weapon, retention interval, exposure duration, and disguise. Participants judged the resemblance of the perpetrators' photo with their correspondent facial composite. The results pointed out that only exposure duration was significantly associated with facial composites accuracy. Possible implications and future directions for research using archived facial composites are discussed.

Retratos falados são de extrema importância no sistema de justiça criminal. Neste estudo, nós investigamos a hipótese de que o sucesso de retratos falados depende parcialmente de variáveis relacionadas ao crime, que podem tanto facilitar quanto dificultar processos mnemónicos na elaboração de retratos falados. Quando um retrato falado obtém sucesso em levar um infrator à corte ele é comumente arquivado como um retrato falado positivo, incluindo uma foto do culpado e informações sobre o crime. Um total de 88 retratos falados positivos foram investigados. A acurácia de cada retrato falado foi testada de acordo com cinco variáveis relacionadas ao crime: tipo de crime, presença de arma, intervalo de retenção, tempo de exposição e disfarce. Participantes avaliaram a semelhança entre a foto do culpado e seu respectivo retrato falado. Os resultados apontaram que somente o tempo de exposição foi associado com a acurácia dos retratos falados. Possíveis aplicações e futuras pesquisas usando retratos falados reais são discutidos.

Retratos hablados son de suma importancia en el sistema de justicia criminal. En este estudio, se investigó la hipótesis de que el éxito de los retratos hablados depende en parte de las variables relacionadas con el delito, que pueden facilitar o dificultar los procesos mnemotécnicos en el desarrollo de los retratos hablados. Cuando un retrato hablado tiene éxito en llevar un transgresor a la justicia este es archivado como un retrato hablado positivo, incluyendo una foto del culpable y la información sobre el crimen. Se estudió un total de 88 retratos hablados positivos. La precisión de cada imagen se puso a prueba en función de cinco variables relacionadas con el crimen: tipo de delito, la presencia de armas, intervalo de retención, tiempo de exposición y el encubrimiento. Participantes evaluaron la similitud entre la imagen del culpable y su respectivo retrato hablado. Los resultados mostraron que sólo el tiempo de exposición se asoció con la precisión de retratos hablados. Se discuten las posibles aplicaciones y futuras investigaciones utilizando retratos hablados reales.

The categories, frequencies, and stability of idiosyncratic eye-movement patterns to faces.

The spatial pattern of eye-movements to faces considered typical for neurologically healthy individuals is a roughly T-shaped distribution over the internal facial features with peak fixation density tending toward the left eye (observer's perspective). However, recent studies indicate that striking deviations from this classic pattern are common within the population and are highly stable over time. The classic pattern actually reflects the average of these various idiosyncratic eye-movement patterns across individuals. The natural categories and respective frequencies of different types of idiosyncratic eye-movement patterns have not been specifically investigated before, so here we analyzed the spatial patterns of eye-movements for 48 participants to estimate the frequency of different kinds of individual eye-movement patterns to faces in the normal healthy population. Four natural clusters were discovered such that approximately 25% of our participants' fixation density peaks clustered over the left eye region (observer's perspective), 23% over the right eye-region, 31% over the nasion/bridge region of the nose, and 20% over the region spanning the nose, philthrum, and upper lips. We did not find any relationship between particular idiosyncratic eye-movement patterns and recognition performance. Individuals' eye-movement patterns early in a trial were more stereotyped than later ones and idiosyncratic fixation patterns evolved with time into a trial. Finally, while face inversion strongly modulated eye-movement patterns, individual patterns did not become less distinct for inverted compared to upright faces. Group-averaged fixation patterns do not represent individual patterns well, so exploration of such individual patterns is of value for future studies of visual cognition.

Efeitos da cor, iluminação e rotação na ilusão estereoscópica da máscara côncava / The hollow face illusion strength in stereoscopic viewing condition under effects of color, ligthning orientation and rotation

Na ilusão da máscara côncava, o reverso côncavo da máscara é percebido como uma face convexa. Esta pesquisa objetivou investigar a robustez dessa ilusão em fotografias de estereogramas da máscara côncava sob variações de cor, iluminação e rotação. Quarenta observadores julgaram como côncava, plana ou convexa máscaras côncavas cinza e policromada, iluminadas por cima, baixo, direita, esquerda, e invertida iluminada por baixo, apresentadas num monitor. A maioria julgou a máscara côncava como convexa. Eles também reproduziram, em centímetros, a profundidade percebida entre a ponta do nariz da máscara e sua base. Não foi observado efeito para a cor, F(1,39)=0,22; p>0,05, mas ocorreu um efeito principal para a direção da iluminação, F(4,156)=11,35; p<0,05. Observou-se uma diferença significativa entre estimativas da posição da máscara côncava monocromada, t(39)=2,12; p<0,05. Maiores estimativas foram designadas às máscaras côncavas posicionadas verticalmente iluminadas por baixo. Estes resultados indicaram a atuação dos processos top-down sobre os bottom-up. (AU)

The hollow-face illusion is an optical illusion in which the perception of a concave mask appears as a convex face. The goal of this study was to investigate the strength of this illusion under different sources of illumination, face color and positioning into stereographic photos. Forty participants judged, in a computer screen, the hollow-face illuminated from above, below, left, and right, and in the upside-down position illuminated from below, as concave, plain or convex. Most of them judged the reverse mask as convex. They also reproduced, in centimeters, the perceived depth of the mask using a retractable tape measure. No significant difference was observed between the colors, F(1,39)=.22; p>.05. But there was an effect in the illumination directions, F(4,156)=11.35; p<.05. The position affected the depth perception of a monochrome hollow-face, t(39)=2.12; p<.05. Higher estimates were designated to the hollow-face in the upright position. These results indicated top-down overlapped bottom-up processing. (AU)

Facial expression recognition in Alzheimer’s disease: a longitudinal study / Reconhecimento da expressão facial na doença de Alzheimer: um estudo longitudinal

Facial recognition is one of the most important aspects of social cognition. In this study, we investigate the patterns of change and the factors involved in the ability to recognize emotion in mild Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Through a longitudinal design, we assessed 30 people with AD. We used an experimental task that includes matching expressions with picture stimuli, labelling emotions and emotionally recognizing a stimulus situation. We observed a significant difference in the situational recognition task (p ≤ 0.05) between baseline and the second evaluation. The linear regression showed that cognition is a predictor of emotion recognition impairment (p ≤ 0.05). The ability to perceive emotions from facial expressions was impaired, particularly when the emotions presented were relatively subtle. Cognition is recruited to comprehend emotional situations in cases of mild dementia.

O reconhecimento da expressão facial é um dos aspectos mais importantes relacionados à cognição social. Foram investigados os padrões de mudança e os fatores envolvidos na habilidade de reconhecer emoções na doença de Alzheimer (DA) leve. Em um estudo longitudinal foram avaliadas 30 pessoas com DA. Para a avaliação da capacidade de reconhecimento facial na DA foi utilizada uma tarefa experimental que inclui a combinação de expressões com uma figura estímulo, rotulação da emoção e reconhecimento emocional de uma situação estímulo. Foi encontrada diferença significativa entre os momentos 1 e 2 na tarefa de reconhecimento situacional (p ≤ 0.05). A regressão linear mostrou que a cognição (p ≤ 0.05) é o fator preditor para o prejuízo do reconhecimento emocional, o que sugere um recrutamento da cognição para a compreensão de situações emocionais mais complexas. Houve comprometimento na percepção de emoções em expressões faciais, particularmente, quando as emoções eram sutis.

The hollow-face illusion monocularly observed in a box / A ilusão da máscara côncava observada monocularmente em uma caixa

Under monocular conditions, 40 students observed the reverse of polychrome and monochrome masks and judged them to be concave, convex or flat. The mask was presented upright and illuminated from above, below, right and left and in the upside down position illuminated from below. The magnitude of the perceived depth or relief was estimated using a retractable tape measure. Regardless of color, lighting and orientation, the majority of responses indicated that the hollow masks were perceived to be convex. No significant differences were observed between the depth or convexity of the metric magnitudes and scalar magnitudes of the concave masks in relation to variations in the light source direction, color, and position. The illusory depth, seeing the concave mask as convex, is a robust phenomenon that suggests the predominant role of higher-order processes over the low-order processes in visual face perception...

Em condição de observação monocular, 40 estudantes universitários julgaram como côncavo, plano ou convexo os reversos de uma máscara monocromada e de uma policromada, iluminados por cima, por baixo, pela direita e pela esquerda, na posição vertical, e na posição invertida com iluminação por baixo. A magnitude da profundidade percebida foi estimada por meio de uma trena retrátil. Independentemente da cor, da iluminação e da orientação das máscaras, a maioria das respostas indicou que os reversos das máscaras foram percebidos como convexos. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre as magnitudes escalares e métricas de profundidade ou relevo das máscaras côncavas em relação às variações da direção da fonte de iluminação, cor e posição. A máscara côncava percebida ilusoriamente como convexa é um fenômeno robusto que sugere atuação predominante de processos de alta ordem sobre os processos de baixa ordem na percepção visual de faces...

The hollow-face illusion monocularly observed in a box / A ilusão da máscara côncava observada monocularmente em uma caixa

Under monocular conditions, 40 students observed the reverse of polychrome and monochrome masks and judged them to be concave, convex or flat. The mask was presented upright and illuminated from above, below, right and left and in the upside down position illuminated from below. The magnitude of the perceived depth or relief was estimated using a retractable tape measure. Regardless of color, lighting and orientation, the majority of responses indicated that the hollow masks were perceived to be convex. No significant differences were observed between the depth or convexity of the metric magnitudes and scalar magnitudes of the concave masks in relation to variations in the light source direction, color, and position. The illusory depth, seeing the concave mask as convex, is a robust phenomenon that suggests the predominant role of higher-order processes over the low-order processes in visual face perception.(AU)

Em condição de observação monocular, 40 estudantes universitários julgaram como côncavo, plano ou convexo os reversos de uma máscara monocromada e de uma policromada, iluminados por cima, por baixo, pela direita e pela esquerda, na posição vertical, e na posição invertida com iluminação por baixo. A magnitude da profundidade percebida foi estimada por meio de uma trena retrátil. Independentemente da cor, da iluminação e da orientação das máscaras, a maioria das respostas indicou que os reversos das máscaras foram percebidos como convexos. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre as magnitudes escalares e métricas de profundidade ou relevo das máscaras côncavas em relação às variações da direção da fonte de iluminação, cor e posição. A máscara côncava percebida ilusoriamente como convexa é um fenômeno robusto que sugere atuação predominante de processos de alta ordem sobre os processos de baixa ordem na percepção visual de faces.(AU)

O reconhecimento de expressões faciais e prosódia emocional: investigação preliminar em uma amostra brasileira jovem / Recognition of emotional facial expressions and of emotional prosody: a preliminary investigation in a young brazilian sample / El reconocimiento de las expresiones faciales y la prosodia emocional: investigación preliminar en una muestra brasileña joven

Sinais não verbais de comunicação emocional são frequentes em diferentes culturas. Esta pesquisa buscou traduzir e adaptar uma bateria (Florida Affect Battery) de avaliação de expressões faciais e prosódia emocional, bem como avaliar o desempenho de uma amostra populacional brasileira em seus subtestes, incluindo uma comparação entre participantes do sexo feminino e masculino e por escolaridade. Os resultados da amostra brasileira foram avaliados e, posteriormente, comparados aos da amostra estadunidense, fornecidos no manual da bateria. Não foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significantes entre o desempenho da amostra brasileira e da amostra estadunidense, bem como entre homens e mulheres, com altas taxas de acerto para todos os grupos avaliados, evidenciando um bom reconhecimento de expressões faciais e prosódia emocional...

Nonverbal signs of emotional communication are common in different cultures. This study aimed to translate and adapt a battery (Florida Affect Battery) of evaluation of facial expressions and emotional prosody, as well as evaluate the performance of a Brazilian sample in their subtests, including a comparison of men and women and of education level. The results of the Brazilian sample were compared to the results of United States sample provided in battery's manual. There were no significant differences between the performance of Brazilian sample and the United States sample as well as between men and women, with high success rates for all groups evaluated...

Señales no verbales de comunicación emocional son comunes em diferentes culturas. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo traducir y adaptar una batería (Florida Affect Battery) de evaluación de expresiones faciales y prosodia emocional, así como evaluar el desempeño de una muestra de la población brasileña en sus subpruebas, incluyendo uma comparación entre participantes hombres y mujeres e entre los diferentes níveles de educación. Los resultados de la muestra brasileña fueron evaluados, y posteriormente, se compararon con los resultados de la muestra estadounidense, proporcionados en el manual de la batería. No hubo diferencias significativas entre el desempeño de la muestra brasileña y la muestra estadunidense, así como entre hombres y mujeres, con altas tasas de acierto para todos los grupos evaluados, evidenciando un buen reconocimiento de expresiones faciales y prosodia emocional...

Self-face perception: Individual differences and discrepancies associated with mental self-face representation, attractiveness and self-esteem

Self-face perception plays an important role in self-consciousness and personal identity as well as in social exchanges and well-being. Despite its significance, little is known about how individuals represent their faces internally. This study explored mechanisms of self-face perception in three experiments. First, participants chose from two images (self-face image vs. self-image with manipulated facial features) which one was their veridical image and which one they liked most. Afterwards, participants could (digitally) manipulate their facial features to increase their attractiveness (either to themselves or to an imagined other/s). Results showed that self-face recognition was better when veridical faces were paired with 'clones' with larger facial features or when all facial features were enlarged concurrently. Moreover, up to half of the participants preferred smaller noses and larger eyes and manipulated their self-images accordingly. State (but not trait) self-esteem was inversely correlated with eye, mouth and nose size manipulations made to increase one's attractiveness. The results indicate that a certain tolerance for error in self-face recognition might be required to maintain a consistent facial identity during one's lifespan. The discovered preference for neotenous features and discrepancies between one's perceived and one's veridical face and their link to state self-esteem are discussed...

O reconhecimento de expressões faciais e prosódia emocional: investigação preliminar em uma amostra brasileira jovem / Recognition of emotional facial expressions and of emotional prosody: a preliminary investigation in a young brazilian sample / El reconocimiento de las expresiones faciales y la prosodia emocional: investigación preliminar en una muestra brasileña joven

Sinais não verbais de comunicação emocional são frequentes em diferentes culturas. Esta pesquisa buscou traduzir e adaptar uma bateria (Florida Affect Battery) de avaliação de expressões faciais e prosódia emocional, bem como avaliar o desempenho de uma amostra populacional brasileira em seus subtestes, incluindo uma comparação entre participantes do sexo feminino e masculino e por escolaridade. Os resultados da amostra brasileira foram avaliados e, posteriormente, comparados aos da amostra estadunidense, fornecidos no manual da bateria. Não foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significantes entre o desempenho da amostra brasileira e da amostra estadunidense, bem como entre homens e mulheres, com altas taxas de acerto para todos os grupos avaliados, evidenciando um bom reconhecimento de expressões faciais e prosódia emocional.(AU)

Nonverbal signs of emotional communication are common in different cultures. This study aimed to translate and adapt a battery (Florida Affect Battery) of evaluation of facial expressions and emotional prosody, as well as evaluate the performance of a Brazilian sample in their subtests, including a comparison of men and women and of education level. The results of the Brazilian sample were compared to the results of United States sample provided in battery's manual. There were no significant differences between the performance of Brazilian sample and the United States sample as well as between men and women, with high success rates for all groups evaluated.(AU)

Señales no verbales de comunicación emocional son comunes em diferentes culturas. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo traducir y adaptar una batería (Florida Affect Battery) de evaluación de expresiones faciales y prosodia emocional, así como evaluar el desempeño de una muestra de la población brasileña en sus subpruebas, incluyendo uma comparación entre participantes hombres y mujeres e entre los diferentes níveles de educación. Los resultados de la muestra brasileña fueron evaluados, y posteriormente, se compararon con los resultados de la muestra estadounidense, proporcionados en el manual de la batería. No hubo diferencias significativas entre el desempeño de la muestra brasileña y la muestra estadunidense, así como entre hombres y mujeres, con altas tasas de acierto para todos los grupos evaluados, evidenciando un buen reconocimiento de expresiones faciales y prosodia emocional.(AU)

Self-face perception: Individual differences and discrepancies associated with mental self-face representation, attractiveness and self-esteem

Self-face perception plays an important role in self-consciousness and personal identity as well as in social exchanges and well-being. Despite its significance, little is known about how individuals represent their faces internally. This study explored mechanisms of self-face perception in three experiments. First, participants chose from two images (self-face image vs. self-image with manipulated facial features) which one was their veridical image and which one they liked most. Afterwards, participants could (digitally) manipulate their facial features to increase their attractiveness (either to themselves or to an imagined other/s). Results showed that self-face recognition was better when veridical faces were paired with 'clones' with larger facial features or when all facial features were enlarged concurrently. Moreover, up to half of the participants preferred smaller noses and larger eyes and manipulated their self-images accordingly. State (but not trait) self-esteem was inversely correlated with eye, mouth and nose size manipulations made to increase one's attractiveness. The results indicate that a certain tolerance for error in self-face recognition might be required to maintain a consistent facial identity during one's lifespan. The discovered preference for neotenous features and discrepancies between one's perceived and one's veridical face and their link to state self-esteem are discussed.(AU)

Ilusão da máscara côncava durante a síndrome de abstinência leve do álcool / Hollow-face illusion during during mild alcohol withdrawal syndrome

A ilusão da máscara côncava caracteriza-se pela inversão visual da profundidade durante a observação do reverso de uma máscara da face humana, que é percebido como convexo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar a percepção monocular da profundidade ou relevo de uma máscara côncava, sob quatro condições de iluminação distintas, em 8 indivíduos com a Síndrome de Abstinência do Álcool (SAA) leve comparativamente a 8 participantes saudáveis. As contribuições nesta área de investigação são escassas e os resultados encontrados são controversos. Além disso, resta investigar a condição monocular de observação do estímulo. A máscara côncava foi posicionada no interior deuma caixa e observada através de um visor. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre os indivíduos com a SAA leve e os observadores saudáveis. A maioria dos observadores realizou a inversão visual da profundidade da máscara côncava, percebendo a face ilusória convexa. Ressalta-se a supremacia dos processos cognitivos, de alta ordem (top-down), sobre os processos sensoriais, de baixa ordem (bottom-up), na ilusão da máscara côncava. A observação monocular facilitou a ilusão e não foi adequada para investigar os prejuízos no processamento cognitivo de informações visuais causados pela SAA leve

The hollow-face illusion is the visual depth inversion that happens when a hollow mask of a human face is perceived as convex. The aim of thiswork was to investigate the monocular perception of depth or relief of a hollow mask, under four distinct illumination conditions, in 8 individuals with mild alcohol withdrawal, comparing to 8healthy participants. Scientific contributions in this research area are scarce and the results are controversial. Furthermore, it remains to investigate the status of monocular observationof the stimulus. The hollow mask was placed inside of a box and observed through a viewfinder. There was not significant differences between the individuals with mild alcohol withdrawal and the healthy observers. The significant majority of the observers made the visual depth inversion,perceiving the convex illusory face. It is important to notice the dominance of the high order, cognitive process (top-down) over low ordersensorial process (bottom-up) in the hollow-face illusion. The monocular observation facilitated illusion and it was not suitable to investigate the impairments in the cognitive processing of visual information caused by mild SAA

Potenciales evocados como marcadores neurofisiológicos de la percepción y el reconocimiento de caras / Event-related potentials as neurophysiological markers of face perception and face recognition

La percepción y el reconocimiento de caras como funciones cerebrales complejas de gran relevancia psicobiológica son objeto de estudio por parte de la comunidad neurocientífica desde hace varias décadas. En este artículo se revisan los datos existentes sobre potenciales evocados y procesamiento de caras y se discute la significación funcional de cada una de las respuestas psicofisiológicas analizadas en relación con las diferentes etapas o módulos descritos en los modelos cognitivos y neurales sobre el procesamiento de rostros familiares y desconocidos. El procesamiento inicial de las caras está relacionado con respuestas electrofisiológicas muy tempranas como la onda occipital P120, asociada a la detección de aspectos estructurales primarios sugerentes, grosso modo, de la presencia de una cara en nuestro campo visual. La onda temporal posterior N170 es más sensible a la configuración facial (vs. otros objetos) y a la presencia de rasgos faciales distintivos antes de que se produzca la individualización intra-categorial (reconocimiento visual de la identidad), mientras que las respuestas de latencia más tardía como la temporal anterior N250r y la topográficamente más distribuida N400 son las que reflejan, respectivamente, los procesos de acceso y recuperación de información relativa a las caras conocidas en la memoria a largo plazo.

The perception and recognition of faces are complex brain functions of great psychobiological relevance and have been studied by the neuroscientific community for decades. This paper reviews existing data on event-related potentials and facial processing, therefore, the functional significance of each psychophysiological response, in relation with the different stages or modules described in cognitive and neural models regarding the processing of familiar and unknown faces are discussed. The initial processing of faces is related to early electrophysiological responses as occipital P120 wave, associated with the detection of primary structural features suggestive of, basically, the presence of a face in our visual field. The posterior temporal N170 wave is more sensitive to facial configuration (vs. other objects) and to the presence of specific facial features before the intra-categorical identification takes place (visual recognition of identity), while the later latency responses as the anterior temporal N250r and the more topographically distributed N400 are those that reflect, respectively, the access and retrieval of information on familiar faces in long-term memory.

Faces simétricas por reflexão das hemifaces não são mais atraentes que as faces naturais / Symmetrical faces by hemiface reflections are not more attractive than the natural ones

Com a finalidade de investigar se a simetria está relacionada à atratividade facial, vinte fotos em preto e branco de faces frontais de jovens adultos (10F, 10M) foram manipuladas por um editor gráfico de maneira a gerar faces simétricas pela reflexão de suas hemifaces direita e esquerda. Sessenta e dois voluntários julgaram a atratividade das faces simétricas e naturais por meio de uma escala visual analógica em dois experimentos. Em um experimento as faces foram apresentadas com os elementos faciais externos e no outro sem eles. Em ambos experimentos as faces naturais foram geralmente julgadas mais atrativas que as simétricas. Conclui-se que a simetria facial por reflexão das hemifaces não é fator preponderante na atratividade facial.

In order to investigate whether symmetry is related to facial attractiveness, a computer graphic software generated symmetrical faces by reflecting the right and the left hemiface of twenty frontal faces (10F, 10M) of young adults from black-and-white pictures. Applying an analogical visual scale, sixty two volunteers judged the attractiveness of the symmetrical and natural faces in two experiments. In one experiment the faces were presented with external elements and in the other without them. In both experiments, the natural faces were generally judged more attractive than the symmetrical ones. In conclusion, symmetry from reflections of the hemifaces is not a preponderant factor for facial attractiveness.