The psychology of face construction: giving evolution a helping hand

Melanie Pitchford
,
Charlie D. Frowd
,
Vicki Bruce
,
Sam Jackson
,
Gemma Hepton
,
Maria Greenall

Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Abstract

Face construction by selecting individual facial features rarely produces recognisable images. We have been developing a system called EvoFIT that works by the repeated selection and breeding of complete faces. Here, we explored two techniques. The first blurred the external parts of the face, to help users focus on the important central facial region. The second, manipulated an evolved face using psychologically-useful ‘holistic’ scales: age, masculinity, honesty, etc. Using face construction procedures that mirrored police work, a large benefit emerged for the holistic scales; the benefit of blurring accumulated over the construction process. Performance was best using both techniques: EvoFITs were correctly named 24.5% on average compared to 4.2% for faces constructed using a typical ‘feature’ system. It is now possible, therefore, to evolve a fairly recognisable composite from a 2 day memory of a face, the norm for real witnesses. A plausible model to account for the findings is introduced.

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Original language

English

Pages from-to (Number of pages)

Pages 195-203

Journal (Volume, Issue Number)

Applied Cognitive Psychology (Volume 25, Issue 2)

Publication milestones

Published - 01/01/2011

Publication status

Published - 01/01/2011

ISSN

0888-4080

External Publication IDs

handle.net: 10547/300049
Scopus: 78649439395

Access to documents

10.1002/acp.1662

Publication metrics

Metrics

Scopus

PlumX, opens in new tab

Captures

Mentions

Social media