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A new approach to diagnosing and researching developmental prosopagnosia: Excluded cases are impaired too

Edwin Burns Orcid Logo, Elizabeth Gaunt, Betiel Kidane, Lucy Hunter, Jaylea Pulford

Behavior Research Methods, Volume: 55, Issue: 8, Pages: 4291 - 4314

Swansea University Author: Edwin Burns Orcid Logo

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Abstract

Developmental prosopagnosia is characterized by severe, lifelong difficulties when recognizing facial identity. Unfortunately, the most common diagnostic assessment (Cambridge Face Memory Test) misses 50–65% of individuals who believe that they have this condition. This results in such excluded case...

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Published in: Behavior Research Methods
ISSN: 1554-3528
Published: Springer Science and Business Media LLC 2023
Online Access: Check full text

URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65863
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Abstract: Developmental prosopagnosia is characterized by severe, lifelong difficulties when recognizing facial identity. Unfortunately, the most common diagnostic assessment (Cambridge Face Memory Test) misses 50–65% of individuals who believe that they have this condition. This results in such excluded cases’ absence from scientific knowledge, effect sizes of impairment potentially overestimated, treatment efficacy underrated, and may elicit in them a negative experience of research. To estimate their symptomology and group-level impairments in face processing, we recruited a large cohort who believes that they have prosopagnosia. Matching prior reports, 56% did not meet criteria on the Cambridge Face Memory Test. However, the severity of their prosopagnosia symptoms and holistic perception deficits were comparable to those who did meet criteria. Excluded cases also exhibited face perception and memory impairments that were roughly one standard deviation below neurotypical norms, indicating the presence of objective problems. As the prosopagnosia index correctly classified virtually every case, we propose it should be the primary method for providing a diagnosis, prior to subtype categorization. We present researchers with a plan on how they can analyze these excluded prosopagnosia cases in their future work without negatively impacting their traditional findings. We anticipate such inclusion will enhance scientific knowledge, more accurately estimate effect sizes of impairments and treatments, and identify commonalities and distinctions between these different forms of prosopagnosia. Owing to their atypicalities in visual perception, we recommend that the prosopagnosia index should be used to screen out potential prosopagnosia cases from broader vision research.
Keywords: Diagnosing; Criteria; Prosopamnesia; Prosopagnosia; Single-case analysis; Apperceptive; Associative
College: Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
Issue: 8
Start Page: 4291
End Page: 4314