From single cells to social perception

Nick E. Barraclough, David I. Perrett

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Research describing the cellular coding of faces in non-human primates often provides the underlying physiological framework for our understanding of face processing in humans. Models of face perception, explanations of perceptual after-effects from viewing particular types of faces, and interpretation of human neuroimaging data rely on monkey neurophysiological data and the assumption that neurophysiological responses of humans are comparable to those recorded in the non-human primate. Here, we review studies that describe cells that preferentially respond to faces, and assess the link between the physiological characteristics of single cells and social perception. Principally, we describe cells recorded from the non-human primate, although a limited number of cells have been recorded in humans, and are included in order to appraise the validity of non-human physiological data for our understanding of human face and social perception.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1739-1752
Number of pages14
JournalPhilosophical Transactions Of The Royal Society Of London Series B - Biological Sciences
Volume366
Issue number1571
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 12 Jun 2011

Keywords

  • face
  • neuron
  • neurophysiology
  • adaptation
  • SUPERIOR TEMPORAL SULCUS
  • MACAQUE INFEROTEMPORAL CORTEX
  • FACE-SELECTIVE RESPONSES
  • VISUAL CORTICAL AREAS
  • SHAPE-BASED MODEL
  • FACIAL EXPRESSIONS
  • RECOGNITION MEMORY
  • NEURAL RESPONSES
  • RHESUS-MONKEY
  • FUNCTIONAL-ORGANIZATION

Cite this