Flashed face distortion effect: grotesque faces from relative spaces

Perception. 2011;40(5):628-30. doi: 10.1068/p6968.

Abstract

We describe a novel face distortion effect resulting from the fast-paced presentation of eye-aligned faces. When cycling through the faces on a computer screen, each face seems to become a caricature of itself and some faces appear highly deformed, even grotesque. The degree of distortion is greatest for faces that deviate from the others in the set on a particular dimension (eg if a person has a large forehead, it looks particularly large). This new method of image presentation, based on alignment and speed, could provide a useful tool for investigating contrastive distortion effects and face adaptation.

MeSH terms

  • Discrimination, Psychological
  • Face*
  • Humans
  • Pattern Recognition, Visual*
  • Perceptual Distortion*
  • Photic Stimulation*
  • Reaction Time*