Perceptual and psychosocial factors associated with individual differences in face identity and face expression processing

Most studies of face perception have relied on group-based experimental approaches. The present project harnesses the additional power available from incorporating individual differences. We use individual differences in both identity and expression processing to provide novel insight into: the perceptual subcomponents functionally associated with ability; where in the visual processing stream identity and expression processing diverge; and whether developmental prosopagnosia is qualitatively different from the tail end of the normal distribution. We also provide the first investigation of whether mild to moderate problems specifically in face identity might contribute to clinical problems such as social anxiety and anti-social behaviour.