Behavioral studies have shown that two different
morphed faces belonging to the same identity are harder
to discriminate than two faces stemming from two different
identities. The temporal course of this categorical perception
effect has been explored through event-related potentials.
Three kinds of pairs were presented in a matching task:
(1) two different morphed faces representing the same identity
(within), (2) two other faces representing two different
identities (between), and (3) two identical morphed faces
(same). Following the second face onset in the pair, the
amplitude of the right occipitotemporal negativity (N170)
was reduced for within and same pairs as compared with
between pairs, suggesting an identity priming effect. We
also observed a modulation of the P3b wave, as the amplitude
of the responses for within pairs was higher than for between
and same pairs, suggesting a higher complexity of the task
for within pairs. These results indicate that categorical
perception of human faces has a perceptual origin in the
right occipitotemporal hemisphere.