Perceptual Training Prevents the Other Race Effect in Infants
Author Information
Author(s): Heron-Delaney Michelle, Anzures Gizelle, Herbert Jane S., Quinn Paul C., Slater Alan M., Tanaka James W., Lee Kang, Pascalis Olivier
Primary Institution: University of Queensland
Hypothesis
Can perceptual training with other-race faces prevent the development of the Other Race Effect in infants?
Conclusion
The study shows that exposing Caucasian infants to Chinese faces through training can help them maintain the ability to recognize these faces as they grow.
Supporting Evidence
- Infants trained with Chinese faces could recognize them at 9 months.
- Control group infants who only saw Caucasian faces could not recognize Chinese faces.
- The study highlights the importance of early exposure to diverse faces.
Takeaway
If babies look at pictures of faces from different races, they can learn to recognize those faces better as they grow up.
Methodology
Infants were trained with picture books containing faces of either their own race or another race, and their ability to recognize these faces was tested at 9 months.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in parental reporting of infants' exposure to other-race individuals.
Limitations
The study only included Caucasian infants and may not generalize to other racial groups.
Participant Demographics
16 Caucasian infants in the training group and 16 in the control group, aged 6 months at the start.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p=0.023
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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