The composite face illusion

Murphy, J., Gray, K. L. H. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6071-4588 and Cook, R. (2017) The composite face illusion. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 24 (2). pp. 245-261. ISSN 1069-9384 doi: 10.3758/s13423-016-1131-5

Abstract/Summary

Few findings in cognitive science have proved as influential as the composite face effect. When the top half of one face is aligned with the bottom half of another, and presented upright, the resulting composite arrangement induces a compelling percept of a novel facial configuration. Findings obtained using composite face procedures have contributed significantly to our understanding of holistic face processing, the detrimental effects of face inversion, the development of face perception, and aberrant face perception in clinical populations. Composite paradigms continue to advance our knowledge of face perception, as exemplified by their recent use for investigating the perceptual mechanisms underlying dynamic face processing. However, the paradigm has been the subject of intense scrutiny, particularly over the last decade, and there is a growing sense that the composite face illusion, whilst easy to illustrate, is deceptively difficult to measure and interpret. In this review we provide a focused overview of the existing composite face literature, and identify six priorities for future research. Addressing these gaps in our knowledge will aid the evaluation and refinement of theoretical accounts of the illusion.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/66221
Identification Number/DOI	10.3758/s13423-016-1131-5
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Life Sciences > School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences > Department of Psychology Life Sciences > School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences > Perception and Action
Publisher	Psychonomic Society
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