Explanations of Prosopagnosia - Perception Flashcards
What is prosopagnosia?
Ability to recognise faces is impaired - ability to recognise other objects may be intact
What is acquired prosopagnosia?
Following acute damage to the brain
What is developmental prosopagnosia?
A congenital form of the disorder inherited by 2.5% of the population
Why might prosopagnosia be a unique face specific problem?
People often only have problems recognising faces = different system
What is a brief summary of Bruce and Young’s explanation of face recognition?
Face recognition units are activated and compared with the brain’s database - right fusiform gyrus (FFA) deals with this
- If a match is found the ATC brings up facts = personal identity notes
What normally happens with prosopagnosia in terms of Bruce and Young’s explanation?
The third step isn’t working = likely damage to the right fusiform gyrus (FFA)
What do PET and FMRI scans show? (Downing)
That the FFA is more active during face recognition than object recognition
Doing: FFA more strongly activated when shown faces
How does PAS relate to the use of PET and FMRI scans?
Very objective and scientific
What was the case study of W.J by McNeil and Warrington?
Middle aged man who developed prosopagnosia after a series of strokes
What did McNeil and Warrington find about W.J?
- Unable to recognise the face of a famous person when shown along side 2 unfamiliar faces
- Went into sheep farming BUT could recognise sheets (classed as objects)
What does W.J show?
Supports the acquired argument = nurture
How does PAS relate to W.J?
Perhaps he didn’t know who the famous people were
What is the general object recognition problem argument?
That people with prosopagnosia have difficulty recognising other objects = not specific areas
What did Gautheir and Tarr do?
Studied keen birdwatchers
What did Gautheir and Tarr find?
- FFA was activated in keen birdwatchers when identifying birds but not cars. Vice versa in car enthusiasts.
