Face selective areas in the human ventral stream exhibit a preference for 3/4 views in the fovea and periphery T C Kietzmann1, B Wahn1, P König1, F Tong2 |
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1Institute of Cognitive Science, University of Osnabrück, Germany |
| The ability to recognize faces irrespective of viewpoint is crucial for our everyday behavior and social interaction. However, not all viewpoints allow for equally good recognition and generalization performance, an effect known as the ¾-view advantage [Krouse, 1981, Journal of Applied Psychology, 66, 651-654]. Here, we use fMRI BOLD to investigate whether face-selective areas in the ventral stream exhibit a similar preference for ¾-views by measuring the responses of OFA and FFA in a 3x3 design including viewing angle (left and right ¾- and frontal view) and position (foveal, left- and right peripheral positions). In every stimulus position, OFA and FFA responded more strongly to the presentation of ¾-views, as compared to a front-on view. Interestingly, however, we find the effect to be opposite for ipsi- and contralateral stimulus presentations. Whereas the right OFA and FFA responded strongest to a right-facing view in the left visual field, a left-facing view was preferred in the fovea and right, ipsilateral visual field. No such interaction was found in V1 and LOC. This rules out potential low-level explanations of the effect and demonstrates a correlation of OFA and FFA responsiveness to the psychophysical ¾ view advantage. |
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