Looking at the own-race bias: Eye-tracking investigations of memory for different race faces

Abstract

ABSTRACT Humans remember the faces of members of their own race more accurately than the faces of members of other races, in an effect known as the own-race bias. Previous studies indicate that patterns of eye fixations play an important role in this bias, but the exact nature of their influence on face memory is not clear. The present study examined the role of eye fixations on memory for racially East Asian, Black, and White faces in East Asian and White participants. Results revealed greater looking at the eyes of East Asian and White faces than the eyes of Black faces, and greater looking at the nose/mouth of Black faces than the nose/mouth of East Asian and White faces. In addition, longer time looking at the eyes of all faces predicted better memory for all faces, and longer time looking at the nose/mouth of Black faces predicted better memory for Black faces. These findings are best characterized by a model of face memory in which the eyes are critical for all faces, but certain features (e.g., nose/mouth) may be additionally important for certain race faces (e.g., Black faces).