UNSW Face Test: A screening tool for super-recognizers

PLoS One. 2020 Nov 16;15(11):e0241747. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241747. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

We present a new test-the UNSW Face Test (www.unswfacetest.com)-that has been specifically designed to screen for super-recognizers in large online cohorts and is available free for scientific use. Super-recognizers are people that demonstrate sustained performance in the very top percentiles in tests of face identification ability. Because they represent a small proportion of the population, screening large online cohorts is an important step in their initial recruitment, before confirmatory testing via standardized measures and more detailed cognitive testing. We provide normative data on the UNSW Face Test from 3 cohorts tested via the internet (combined n = 23,902) and 2 cohorts tested in our lab (combined n = 182). The UNSW Face Test: (i) captures both identification memory and perceptual matching, as confirmed by correlations with existing tests of these abilities; (ii) captures face-specific perceptual and memorial abilities, as confirmed by non-significant correlations with non-face object processing tasks; (iii) enables researchers to apply stricter selection criteria than other available tests, which boosts the average accuracy of the individuals selected in subsequent testing. Together, these properties make the test uniquely suited to screening for super-recognizers in large online cohorts.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Automated Facial Recognition / methods*
  • Child
  • Databases, Factual
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • User-Computer Interface
  • Young Adult

Grants and funding

This research was supported by an Australian Research Council Linkage grant to DW (LP160101523; arc.gov.au/linkage-projects) in partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australian Passport Office, an Australian Research Council Discovery grant to DW (DP190100957; arc.gov.au/grants/discovery-program), and a UNSW Scientia Fellowship awarded to DW (scientia.unsw.edu.au/scientia-fellowships). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.