Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

Spring 4-17-2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

May 2026

Department

Psychology

College Granting Degree

Charles E. Schmidt College of Science

Department Granting Degree

Psychology

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Gizelle Anzures

Abstract

It is well established that perceptual experience with own-race faces is associated with faster and more accurate recognition of own-race compared to other-race faces — a phenomenon known as the other-race effect (ORE). Previous fMRI research has shown that adults generally exhibit more robust face-sensitive responses than children in the core face-processing areas, especially to own-race versus other-race faces. Although much is known about the neural underpinnings of the ORE in adults, little is known about this phenomenon in children. The present experiment aimed to examine face-sensitive fusiform and occipital regions in 8- to 10-year-olds and adults as they engaged in a face-race categorization task. Regarding behavioral results, we found that adults were more accurate at recognizing faces than children (regardless of stimulus race), and that own-race faces were more accurate than other-race faces in both age groups. In contrast, children categorized their own- and other-race faces as accurately as adults, although children required longer response times. For both age groups, response time was only marginally shorter for own- versus other-race faces. Regarding neural results, the right hemisphere demonstrated significantly greater spatial volume in the face-sensitive fusiform than the left hemisphere. In addition, adults showed greater spatial volumes in face-sensitive fusiform and occipital regions than children. Finally, the face-sensitive fusiform area showed greater mean intensity for other-race faces than for own-race faces. These findings are consistent with a right-lateralized specialization for face processing, particularly in the face-sensitive fusiform. Also, adults demonstrate a more developed face-processing system than children, presumably because adults have had more experience with faces over the years. Furthermore, other-race faces show a stronger face-sensitive response during categorization tasks than own-race faces, demonstrating the other-race categorization advantage. Accordingly, 8- to 10-year-olds possess a right-lateralized face-processing system that supports accurate, albeit slower, face categorization and reflects race-related effects in face-sensitive fusiform and occipital regions that continue to develop with age and experience. Taken together, the development of the ORE reflects multiple developmental cognitive and neural components. Overarching theoretical applications are discussed in light of these results.

Download

Included in

Psychology Commons

Share

COinS