Investigator: Thomas Malloy, Rhode Island College

Scientific Theme: Neuroscience

Abstract:  Recogniton of another’s face has important implicaitons for social behavior and coordinated action. For example, a physician’s ability to recognize a patient’s face, although treating socres of patients, can affect treatment compliance and patient statisfaction. Two experiments focused on facial and social variables that impact viusal attention to, and subsequent recogniton of, faces are proposed. Study 1 examines the effects of facial attractiveness and social status on visual attention (VA), and the role of VA on accurate face recognition. Using a standard face recognition paradigm, we will study White males’ and females’ VA to White, male and female faces varying in attractiveness and social status. Face generation software will be used to manipulate attractiveness, and occupational labels will manipulate status. We will assess the effect of attractiveness and status on VA, and the role of VA on the accuracy of facial recognition. We expect an interaction of attractiveness and status; accuracy shuold be greater for high status, attractive faces than for unattractive, low status faces. Attrativeness and status should differentially affect visual attention to facial features that, in turn, enhances or decreases accuracy. Study 2 follows directly from Study 1 and examines VA to White and Black, male and female faces that vary in social status and facial attractiveness. A face recognition paradigm will be used. We will assess White males’ and females’ VA to White and Black, male and female faces that vary in social status and facial attractiveness, and the role of VA on face recognition. Most broadly, this research is based on the theoretical assumption that stereotypes regarding gender, race, attractiveness in the mind of perceivers, directs visual attention to facial features and status information that, in turn, affects the accuracy of face recogntion. Understanding variables that enhance or reduce accuracy of face recognition can lead to interventions designed to facilitate accuracy in interpersonal encounters in helathcare.

Human Health Relevance: Visual attention bias occurs outside of awareness, and can lead to unwitting discriminatory behavior by a health care provider. This could affect seeking treatment, patient satisfaction and treatment compliance in the patient-practitioner dyad. This research will reveal facial features and status markers that capture visual attention and its affect on memory for faces of Blacks and Whites. Interventions to enhance accuracy can then be developed