Abstract
Numerous studies with functional magnetic resonance imaging have shown that the fusiform face area (FFA) in the human brain plays a key role in face perception. Recent studies have found that both the featural information of faces (e.g., eyes, nose, and mouth) and the configural information of faces (i.e., spatial relation among features) are encoded in the FFA. However, little is known about whether the featural information is encoded independent of or combined with the configural information in the FFA. Here we used multi-voxel pattern analysis to examine holistic representation of faces in the FFA by correlating spatial patterns of activation with behavioral performance in discriminating face parts with face configurations either present or absent. Behaviorally, the absence of face configurations (versus presence) impaired discrimination of face parts, suggesting a holistic representation in the brain. Neurally, spatial patterns of activation in the FFA were more similar among correct than incorrect trials only when face parts were presented in a veridical face configuration. In contrast, spatial patterns of activation in the occipital face area, as well as the object-selective lateral occipital complex, were more similar among correct than incorrect trials regardless of the presence of veridical face configurations. This finding suggests that in the FFA faces are represented not on the basis of individual parts but in terms of the whole that emerges from the parts.
Highlights
Studies with functional magnetic resonance imaging have identified a face-selective region in the fusiform gyrus, termed the fusiform face area (FFA) [1]
Behavioral data collected in the scanner showed that the participants were less accurate (t(12) = 8.87, p,0.001, Cohen’s d = 2.53, veridical: 84.7 %, scrambled: 72.7 %) and slower (t(12) = 5.95, p,0.001, Cohen’s d = 1.70) in discriminating face parts when they were placed in a non-face configuration (Scrambled) than in a veridical face configuration (Veridical) (Fig. 2B)
We asked whether the featural information of faces is encoded independently of or combined with the configural information of faces in the FFA, by correlating spatial patterns of activation in FFA with a measure of behavioral face perception
Summary
Studies with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) have identified a face-selective region in the fusiform gyrus, termed the fusiform face area (FFA) [1]. We used fMRI to examine the representation of faces in the FFA while manipulating the configural information. Extensive behavioral studies have shown that the key difference in the way that faces are processed, compared to non-face objects, is that the featural and configural information are processed together as an integrated whole, termed holistic processing [10,11,12,13,14]. Further fMRI studies have suggested that the FFA is a neural substrate for holistic representation of faces. The FFA shows no preference for the processing of the configural information over the featural information [3,4,9], suggesting that the FFA may be engaged in the parts-based representation of faces as well
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
