| This research was undertaken to obtain information on the use of configural processing in unfamiliar face recognition and use of contextual information across the lifespan. Three age groups (6-9, 20-35, and 60-85) were tested on three basic tasks. Experiment 1, a forced-choice recognition task using unfamiliar faces, found no significant difference in the size of inversion effects across the three age groups. Experiment 2, a forced-choice recognition test of unfamiliar faces and background, suggests that context recall is disproportionately impaired in old age. Experiment 3, based on the composite/non-composite technique of Young, Hellawell, and Hay (1987) obtained support of use of configural coding throughout the lifespan. Overall, this study offers no basis for concluding that developmental changes occur in configural coding from ages 6-85. Some support is offered for a decline in use of contextual information. |
