Using computer-generated faces in experimental psychology: The role of realism and exposure
In psychology, researchers often rely on face photographs to study face perception. However, finding suitable face stimuli for experiments is often challenging. Computer-generated (CG) faces have emerged as a potential solution due to their flexibility and controllability. However, it has been sugge...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2024-05-01
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| Series: | Computers in Human Behavior Reports |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451958824000307 |
| _version_ | 1797267216945643520 |
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| author | Anna Flavia Di Natale Stefania La Rocca Matilde Ellen Simonetti Emanulea Bricolo |
| author_facet | Anna Flavia Di Natale Stefania La Rocca Matilde Ellen Simonetti Emanulea Bricolo |
| author_sort | Anna Flavia Di Natale |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In psychology, researchers often rely on face photographs to study face perception. However, finding suitable face stimuli for experiments is often challenging. Computer-generated (CG) faces have emerged as a potential solution due to their flexibility and controllability. However, it has been suggested that these stimuli are evaluated and processed differently from real faces, and their suitability as alternatives in experimental settings remains unclear. To address this, two studies were conducted to examine the impact of CG faces' realism and observers’ self-reported exposure to CG faces on faces appraisals (Study 1) and processing (Study 2).In Study 1 (n = 97), we assessed perceptions of both real and CG faces. Findings indicated that participants generally viewed CG faces less favourably, especially when these faces lacked realism. This trend was particularly pronounced among individuals less exposed to digital characters.In Study 2 (n = 33), we examined the recognition accuracy of these faces in a memory task. The data revealed that CG faces, especially those less realistic, were less accurately recognized. However, this discrepancy was primarily observed among individuals with limited exposure to digital characters, while those more familiar with such characters showed no significant difference in recognition.Overall, this work confirmed that, to date, CG faces are not an adequate alternative to real faces and that researchers should be cautious when using these stimuli in experiments involving face processing. However, as digital graphics improve and as digital characters become more commonplace in daily life, the perceptual gap between CG and real faces may diminish. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-25T01:13:04Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-dffcdf921dcf449bb1827ebd2cb7034e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2451-9588 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-25T01:13:04Z |
| publishDate | 2024-05-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Computers in Human Behavior Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-dffcdf921dcf449bb1827ebd2cb7034e2024-03-10T05:12:24ZengElsevierComputers in Human Behavior Reports2451-95882024-05-0114100397Using computer-generated faces in experimental psychology: The role of realism and exposureAnna Flavia Di Natale0Stefania La Rocca1Matilde Ellen Simonetti2Emanulea Bricolo3Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Gemelli 1, 20123, Milan, Italy; Mind and Behavior Technological Center, Università Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126, Milan, Italy; Corresponding author. Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Gemelli 1, 20123, Milan, Italy.Mind and Behavior Technological Center, Università Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126, Milan, Italy; Department of Psychology, Università Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126, Milan, ItalyInstitute of Psychology, RWTH Aachen University, Jaegerstr. 17/19, D52066, Aachen, GermanyMind and Behavior Technological Center, Università Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126, Milan, Italy; Department of Psychology, Università Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126, Milan, Italy; Corresponding author. Department of Psychology, Università Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126, Milan, Italy.In psychology, researchers often rely on face photographs to study face perception. However, finding suitable face stimuli for experiments is often challenging. Computer-generated (CG) faces have emerged as a potential solution due to their flexibility and controllability. However, it has been suggested that these stimuli are evaluated and processed differently from real faces, and their suitability as alternatives in experimental settings remains unclear. To address this, two studies were conducted to examine the impact of CG faces' realism and observers’ self-reported exposure to CG faces on faces appraisals (Study 1) and processing (Study 2).In Study 1 (n = 97), we assessed perceptions of both real and CG faces. Findings indicated that participants generally viewed CG faces less favourably, especially when these faces lacked realism. This trend was particularly pronounced among individuals less exposed to digital characters.In Study 2 (n = 33), we examined the recognition accuracy of these faces in a memory task. The data revealed that CG faces, especially those less realistic, were less accurately recognized. However, this discrepancy was primarily observed among individuals with limited exposure to digital characters, while those more familiar with such characters showed no significant difference in recognition.Overall, this work confirmed that, to date, CG faces are not an adequate alternative to real faces and that researchers should be cautious when using these stimuli in experiments involving face processing. However, as digital graphics improve and as digital characters become more commonplace in daily life, the perceptual gap between CG and real faces may diminish.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451958824000307Computer-generated facesFace perceptionUncanny valleyRealismExposure |
| spellingShingle | Anna Flavia Di Natale Stefania La Rocca Matilde Ellen Simonetti Emanulea Bricolo Using computer-generated faces in experimental psychology: The role of realism and exposure Computers in Human Behavior Reports Computer-generated faces Face perception Uncanny valley Realism Exposure |
| title | Using computer-generated faces in experimental psychology: The role of realism and exposure |
| title_full | Using computer-generated faces in experimental psychology: The role of realism and exposure |
| title_fullStr | Using computer-generated faces in experimental psychology: The role of realism and exposure |
| title_full_unstemmed | Using computer-generated faces in experimental psychology: The role of realism and exposure |
| title_short | Using computer-generated faces in experimental psychology: The role of realism and exposure |
| title_sort | using computer generated faces in experimental psychology the role of realism and exposure |
| topic | Computer-generated faces Face perception Uncanny valley Realism Exposure |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451958824000307 |
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