Processing Faces and Facial Expressions

doi:10.1023/A:1025519712569

Paper

Processing Faces and Facial Expressions

Published Sep 1, 2003 · M. Posamentier, H. Abdi

Neuropsychology Review

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291

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23

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Abstract

This paper reviews processing of facial identity and expressions. The issue of independence of these two systems for these tasks has been addressed from different approaches over the past 25 years. More recently, neuroimaging techniques have provided researchers with new tools to investigate how facial information is processed in the brain. First, findings from “traditional” approaches to identity and expression processing are summarized. The review then covers findings from neuroimaging studies on face perception, recognition, and encoding. Processing of the basic facial expressions is detailed in light of behavioral and neuroimaging data. Whereas data from experimental and neuropsychological studies support the existence of two systems, the neuroimaging literature yields a less clear picture because it shows considerable overlap in activation patterns in response to the different face-processing tasks. Further, activation patterns in response to facial expressions support the notion of involved neural substrates for processing different facial expressions.

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Study Snapshot

Key takeawayNeuroimaging studies suggest that facial identity and expression processing involve similar neural substrates, but the exact relationship between the two systems remains unclear.

PopulationOlder adults (50-71 years)

Sample size24

MethodsObservational

OutcomesBody Mass Index projections

ResultsSocial networks mitigate obesity in older groups.

Processing Faces and Facial Expressions

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