Face Perception During Early Infancy

Catherine J. Mondloch(McMaster University), Terri L. Lewis(McMaster University), D. Robert Budreau(McMaster University), Daphne Maurer(McMaster University), James L. Dannemiller(University of Wisconsin–Madison), Benjamin R. Stephens(Clemson University), Kathleen A. Kleiner-Gathercoal(George Fox University)
Psychological Science
September 1, 1999
Cited by 382

Abstract

Previous studies of face perception during early infancy are difficult to interpret because of discrepant results and procedural differences. We used a standardized method based on the Teller acuity card procedure to test newborns, 6-week-olds, and 12-week-olds with three pairs of face and nonface stimuli modified from previous studies. Newborns' preferences were influenced both by the visibility of the stimuli and by their resemblance to a human face. There appears to be a mechanism, likely subcortical, predisposing newborns to look toward faces. Changes in preferences at 6 and 12 weeks of age suggest increasing cortical influence over infants' preferences for faces.


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