Recent developments in the neuropsychology and physiology of face processing.

ABSTRACT

This chapter will review neuropsychological studies of face processing defects. Recent research in this field has been dominated by evidence of preserved face processing in patients who are unaware of these abilities. This phenomenon is referred to as covert recognition and forms a main focus for this review. The second part of the chapter reviews the advances in physiological studies of the brain mechanisms underlying face processing. The relationship between normal perception of faces and information processing at the single cell level is considered. Finally the chapter discusses how the physiological findings relate to the pathology of face processing.