Are Greebles like faces? Using the neuropsychological exception to test the rule

Neuropsychologia. 2004;42(14):1961-70. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2004.04.025.

Abstract

Which image geometries count as face-like and which do not? Across multiple experiments, novel objects called Greebles have been used to argue that face-specific effects can be obtained with non-face stimuli under certain situations, in particular with expert observers. However, this claim depends on the argument that these non-face stimuli are not a priori treated by the face processing system. To address this question, CK, a neuropsychological patient well-known for exhibiting severe visual object agnosia and dyslexia but intact face processing, was tested with Greebles. CK performed poorly on Greebles, indicating that his intact face-specific abilities do not extend to include Greebles. These results suggest that insofar as CK is relying on face-specific visual processes, these processes do not a priori treat Greebles as faces.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Agnosia / physiopathology*
  • Brain Mapping
  • Discrimination, Psychological / physiology
  • Dyslexia / physiopathology*
  • Face / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neuropsychological Tests*
  • Photic Stimulation / methods
  • Reaction Time / physiology
  • Recognition, Psychology / physiology*
  • Sex Factors