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Self‐face processing in a callosotomy patient
Author(s) -
Keenan Julian Paul,
Wheeler Mark,
Platek Steven M.,
Lardi Gina,
Lassonde Maryse
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
european journal of neuroscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.346
H-Index - 206
eISSN - 1460-9568
pISSN - 0953-816X
DOI - 10.1046/j.1460-9568.2003.02958.x
Subject(s) - right hemisphere , psychology , face (sociological concept) , facial recognition system , lateralization of brain function , cognitive psychology , audiology , medicine , pattern recognition (psychology) , social science , sociology
Self‐face recognition is reserved for humans, apes and possibly dolphins and is thought to be a marker of self‐awareness. Previous data have indicated that self‐face recognition may be mediated via frontal right hemisphere circuits within the brain. Testing patient M.L., who underwent a total callosotomy, we found that when searching for the self‐face in a series of morphs (composite facial images made up of his own and a famous face in inversely varying percentages) the patient made (i) more true‐positive and (ii) fewer false‐positive responses when responding with the right hemisphere (i.e. indicating with the left hand). There was no hand difference when searching for familiar faces. These data imply a right hemisphere processing advantage for self‐faces.