Visual asymmetry in perception of faces.

Abstract Several tests examined the established finding that the right side of the human face has greater saliency in the sense that it seems to bear a greater resemblance to the whole face. An experimental manipulation (photographic reversal of the face) showed that the effect is due to asymmetrical left-field perceptual bias rather than to qualities of faces themselves. Right-hemisphere specialization for facial recognition, coupled with more direct image transfer from the left visual field to the right hemisphere, is suggested as an explanation. No general bias was found for left-handers. Additional data from Hebrew readers do not support an alternate explanation of scanning habits developed through reading.

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