Lateral asymmetries in the recognition of words, familiar faces and unfamiliar faces

Abstract

Words, familiar faces and unfamiliar faces were tachistoscopically presented in lateral view to normal right-handed adult subjects. A RVF advantage was obtained for word recognition and a LVF advantage was obtained for the recognition of both familiar and unfamiliar faces. Moreover, the LVF advantage for familiar faces was obtained when the required response was recognition from an array as well as when it was naming. This pattern of results is consistent with results of recent studies that indicate right-hemisphere involvement in the recognition of complex visuo-spatial stimuli, whether or not these stimuli have verbal labels.