[en] In 4 studies, the authors examined the impact of categorization on the recollection of ethnically
ambiguous faces. Participants were presented with faces lying at various locations on mixed-race continua (i.e., Caucasian–North African and Caucasian–Asian faces were used as source images in a morphing program). In all studies, the prevalence of exclusive ethnic features in a face distorted participants’ recollections of the face toward faces more typical of the category. Specifically, the recollection of 30% North African (or 30% Asian) faces shifted toward Caucasian source faces, whereas the recollection of 70% North African (or 70% Asian) faces shifted toward North African (Asian) source faces. Memory distortions did not emerge for extremely ambiguous (50%) faces and proved larger on mixed-race than same-race continua (Studies 3 and 4). Memory distortions also emerged with high levels of confidence. The authors elaborate on the theoretical and practical implications of these findings.
Disciplines :
Social, industrial & organizational psychology
Author, co-author :
Corneille, Olivier; Université Catholique de Louvain - UCL
Huart, Johanne ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de Psychologie : cognition et comportement > Psychologie sociale
Becquart, Emilie
Brédart, Serge ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de Psychologie : cognition et comportement > Psychologie cognitive
Language :
English
Title :
When Memory Shifts Toward More Typical Category Exemplars: Accentuation Effects in the Recollection of Ethnically Ambiguous Faces
Publication date :
2004
Journal title :
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
ISSN :
0022-3514
eISSN :
1939-1315
Publisher :
American Psychological Association, Washington, United States - District of Columbia
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