Effects of in-group bias on face recognition using minimal group procedures
Date
2014
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Abstract
The current series of experiments examined the effects of social categorization on face recognition. The use of minimal group procedures was expected to enhance recognition for in-group members compared to out-group members. In Experiment 1, participants were assigned to 1 of 3 conditions: name study--participants studied a list of 16 names associated with their in-group [red or green], numerical estimation--participants were randomly divided into 2 groups [red or green] after estimating the number of dots in a series of 10 images, and the control condition. This was followed by a study phase in which participants were presented with a total of 32 female and male Caucasian faces on red or green backgrounds. A final recognition test was given following a filler task. Experiment 2 had two of the previously used conditions, name study and control. Faces were presented on red and green backgrounds during test--with old faces presented on the same background as seen at study. Experiment 3 presented a subset of stimuli used in Experiment 2 with a longer presentation time (10 seconds). Findings suggest only moderate difference in response bias between experimental and control groups overall in Experiments 2 and 3. Moderate differences in hits, false alarms, and d' were also found in Experiment 3 between experimental conditions. Group membership did not elicit significant effects on measures of accuracy, reaction time, and confidence ratings.
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Subject
face recognition
minimal groups