A novel blurred-face test for detecting concealed face recognition

Citation

Millen A, Mayer L, Newman S, Olszenka L, Zimmerman C & Hancock P A novel blurred-face test for detecting concealed face recognition [A NOVEL BLURRED-FACE CIT]. Psychological Science.

Abstract
Detecting markers of familiar face recognition is useful in many contexts, from uncooperative eyewitnesses to clinical memory assessment. We examined a novel blurred-face test to detect face recognition when individuals denied recognition of someone they knew. Participants viewed photographs of familiar and unfamiliar faces that were gradually deblurred; we recorded the blur level at the time of recognition response. Across three experiments, early responding to familiar faces signalled recognition in deceptive responders uninstructed on how to beat the test. However participants instructed to delay responses to evade detection did not show earlier responding, and some showed a reversed effect. Detection was better when familiar probe faces were known for longer, and when the probe face was perceived as less similar to the unfamiliar control faces. Eye movements were not useful. Our results suggest that liars have limited insight and control over reflexive markers of familiar face recognition unless explicitly informed.

Journal
Psychological Science