Thatcherization impacts the processing of own-race faces more so than other-race faces: an ERP study

Hahn, A. C. , Jantzen, K. J. and Symons, L. A. (2012) Thatcherization impacts the processing of own-race faces more so than other-race faces: an ERP study. Social Neuroscience, 7(2), pp. 113-125. (doi: 10.1080/17470919.2011.583080)

Abstract

It has been suggested that differential use of configural processing strategies may underlie racially based recognition deficits (known as the “other-race effect”). By employing a well-known configural manipulation (Thatcherization, i.e., rotating the eyes and mouth by 180◦), we aimed to demonstrate, electrophysiologically, that configural processing is used to a greater extent when viewing same-race faces than when viewing other-race faces. Face-related event-related potential (ERP) responses were measured for participants viewing normal and Thatcherized faces of their own race (Caucasian) and of another race (African-American). The P1 and N170 com- ponents were modulated to a greater extent by Thatcherization for same-race faces, suggesting that the processing of these faces is, in fact, more reliant on configural information than other-race faces. Thatcherization also affected the P250 component more so for same-race faces independently of orientation. The race-dependent effects of Thatcherization as early as P1 suggest that configural encoding may be occurring much earlier than the well-cited N170.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Hahn, Dr Amanda
• Authors: Hahn, A. C., Jantzen, K. J., and Symons, L. A.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience
• Journal Name: Social Neuroscience
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis (Routledge)
• ISSN: 1747-0919
• ISSN (Online): 1747-0927