Explanations of Prosopagnosia - Perception Flashcards

1
Q

What is prosopagnosia?

A

Ability to recognise faces is impaired - ability to recognise other objects may be intact

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2
Q

What is acquired prosopagnosia?

A

Following acute damage to the brain

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3
Q

What is developmental prosopagnosia?

A

A congenital form of the disorder inherited by 2.5% of the population

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4
Q

Why might prosopagnosia be a unique face specific problem?

A

People often only have problems recognising faces = different system

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5
Q

What is a brief summary of Bruce and Young’s explanation of face recognition?

A

Face recognition units are activated and compared with the brain’s database - right fusiform gyrus (FFA) deals with this
- If a match is found the ATC brings up facts = personal identity notes

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6
Q

What normally happens with prosopagnosia in terms of Bruce and Young’s explanation?

A

The third step isn’t working = likely damage to the right fusiform gyrus (FFA)

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7
Q

What do PET and FMRI scans show? (Downing)

A

That the FFA is more active during face recognition than object recognition
Doing: FFA more strongly activated when shown faces

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8
Q

How does PAS relate to the use of PET and FMRI scans?

A

Very objective and scientific

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9
Q

What was the case study of W.J by McNeil and Warrington?

A

Middle aged man who developed prosopagnosia after a series of strokes

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10
Q

What did McNeil and Warrington find about W.J?

A
  • Unable to recognise the face of a famous person when shown along side 2 unfamiliar faces
  • Went into sheep farming BUT could recognise sheets (classed as objects)
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11
Q

What does W.J show?

A

Supports the acquired argument = nurture

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12
Q

How does PAS relate to W.J?

A

Perhaps he didn’t know who the famous people were

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13
Q

What is the general object recognition problem argument?

A

That people with prosopagnosia have difficulty recognising other objects = not specific areas

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14
Q

What did Gautheir and Tarr do?

A

Studied keen birdwatchers

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15
Q

What did Gautheir and Tarr find?

A
  • FFA was activated in keen birdwatchers when identifying birds but not cars. Vice versa in car enthusiasts.
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16
Q

What does Gautheir and Tarr’s study show?

A

Perhaps FFA is used when recognising things that are very important to us - importance of other humans = sensitive to faces

17
Q

How does N/N relate to Gautheir and Tarr’s study?

A

Good at face recognition because we learn that it is important