A property of face representation at the categorical level

Face processing is unique to human beings and is likely to have special neuronal Properties. We studied one of these properties, categorical representation of the face in perception processing (perception) and in memory recall processing (imagery), using the face and building stimuli. The same building-selective areas showed categorical selectivity in imagery as well as in perception, but face-selective areas did not. The selective areas to face stimuli in perception were completely different from those in imagery. This indicates that conceptual category selectivity in top-down processing is based on schemes different from that in bottom-up processing in the case of face processing. This may explain an aspect of specialized processing mechanisms of the face. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.