Age-related Differences in Processing Face Configuration: The Importance of the Eye Region

Slessor, G.; Riby, D.M.; Finnerty, A.N.

Abstract

Objectives. Recent research suggests that older adults have difficulties with aspects of configural face processing. The present study examined whether age-related declines in sensitivity to configural face information are dependent on the face region in which configural changes occur. Method. Younger and older adults completed a face-matching task that required the detection of configural manipulations to either the eye or the mouth regions of target faces. Results. Age-related declines in the ability to detect configural changes were found when the eye region of the face was modified. Importantly, no age-related differences were evident when perceiving similar changes to the mouth region. Discussion. Taken together, these findings suggest that age-related differences in sensitivity to configural information are specific to the eye region of the face. The potential implications of these findings for age-related difficulties in interpreting social cues from the eyes are discussed.

Citation

Slessor, G., Riby, D., & Finnerty, A. (2013). Age-related Differences in Processing Face Configuration: The Importance of the Eye Region. The Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 68(2), 228-231. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbs059

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 23, 2012
• Online Publication Date: Aug 3, 2012
• Publication Date: 2013-03
• Deposit Date: Jul 2, 2013
• Journal: The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences
• Print ISSN: 1079-5014
• Electronic ISSN: 1758-5368
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 68
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 228-231
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbs059