Abstract
We tend to be more accurate to recognise faces of people similar in age to us than people much younger or older than us, an effect termed the own-age bias. One explanation for this bias is that unfamiliar own- and other-age faces are quickly categorised by their age when first encountered. Based on this initial categorisation, other-age faces are deemed less socially relevant and are processed more superficially, with attention to category relevant characteristics, whereas own-age faces are processed in more detail with attention to individuating characteristics. This subsequently leads to better recognition of own-age than other-age faces. Based on this explanation, the own-age bias should be reduced when participants are instructed to individuate of other-age faces. Additionally, the magnitude of the own-age bias should be related to relatively faster categorisation of other-age than own-age faces. To test this, participants were presented with a number of young and older adult faces to remember. Half of the participants were given instructions to individuate the older adult faces. In a separate task, participants also categorised the same faces by their age as quickly and accurately as possible. In a subsequent recognition phase, participants were more accurate recognising young adult than older adult faces. The magnitude of this own-age bias was not influenced by individuation instructions but it was positively correlated with a tendency to categorise other-age faces more quickly than own-age faces. These results suggest that social categorisation processes (but not individuation motivation) contribute to the own-age bias.
Original language | English |
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Pages | 44 |
Publication status | Published - Apr 2018 |
Externally published | Yes |
Event | 45th Annual Conference of the Australasian Society for Experimental Psychology - Hobart Function and Conference Centre, Hobart, Australia Duration: 4 Apr 2018 → 7 Apr 2018 Conference number: 45th https://www.conferences.com.au/2018epc/ |
Conference
Conference | 45th Annual Conference of the Australasian Society for Experimental Psychology |
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Abbreviated title | EPC |
Country/Territory | Australia |
City | Hobart |
Period | 4/04/18 → 7/04/18 |
Internet address |