To Google or Not: Differences on How Online Searches Predict Names and Faces

Abstract

Word and face recognition are processes of interest for a large number of fields, including both clinical psychology and computer calculations. The research examined here aims to evaluate the role of an online frequency’s ability to predict both face and word recognition by examining the stability of these processes in a given amount of time. The study will further examine the differences between traditional theories and current contextual frequency approaches. Reaction times were recorded through both a logarithmic transformation and through a Bayesian approach. The Bayes factor notation was employed as an additional test to support the evidence provided by the data. Although differences between face and name recognition were found, the results suggest that latencies for both face and name recognition are stable for a period of six months and online news frequencies better predict reaction time for both classical frequentist analyses. These findings support the use of the contextual diversity approach.