Comparing animal and face processing in the context of natural scenes using a fast categorization task

Among objects, human faces might be special. The processing underlying the categorization of human faces and animals was compared in two experiments using upright and inverted natural scenes. Humans and animals were 7rst presented in the full range of scales (from close-up to far views); stimuli were then restricted to face close-ups. Data showed (1) virtually no advantage for faces over animals; (2) very little impairment with inversion; and (3) greater sensitivity of faces to inversion. These results support a single object processing system in which evidence accumulates quickly to categorize objects, without requiring a face module or mental rotation mechanisms. c © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.