The findings are exciting because we are now going to apply this technique to probe the neural bases of face perception deficits in autism. |
We found that faces aren't special in the way many scientists once thought. Rather, they are particular group of objects which the brain has learned to distinguish very well, much as it would for any other similar objects that are critical to human survival and communication. |
We think that this is because we are face 'experts,' having learned over many years to spot fine differences in upright faces, but not in inverted faces. That experience makes faces unique, but there's nothing scientifically special about faces. |