Recognition of Parts of Famous-Face Photographs by Children: An Experimental Note

Abstract

Children aged between 5 and 10 years were shown photographs of familiar TV personalities, presenters, and celebrities for immediate recognition (naming). The pictures were of whole faces, outer features only (hair, chin, ears), or inner features (eyes, nose, mouth). Only the oldest group (9–10 years) resembled adults in recognising these familiar faces more efficiently from internal than external parts. In the youngest children (5–6 years) there were some indications that the outer face features were more salient, particularly when cartoon characters were included in the array.