Qianqian Zhang, Yueyi Zhang, Ning Liu, Xiaoyan Sun
{"title":"Understanding of facial features in face perception: insights from deep convolutional neural networks","authors":"Qianqian Zhang, Yueyi Zhang, Ning Liu, Xiaoyan Sun","doi":"10.3389/fncom.2024.1209082","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"IntroductionFace recognition has been a longstanding subject of interest in the fields of cognitive neuroscience and computer vision research. One key focus has been to understand the relative importance of different facial features in identifying individuals. Previous studies in humans have demonstrated the crucial role of eyebrows in face recognition, potentially even surpassing the importance of the eyes. However, eyebrows are not only vital for face recognition but also play a significant role in recognizing facial expressions and intentions, which might occur simultaneously and influence the face recognition process.MethodsTo address these challenges, our current study aimed to leverage the power of deep convolutional neural networks (DCNNs), an artificial face recognition system, which can be specifically tailored for face recognition tasks. In this study, we investigated the relative importance of various facial features in face recognition by selectively blocking feature information from the input to the DCNN. Additionally, we conducted experiments in which we systematically blurred the information related to eyebrows to varying degrees.ResultsOur findings aligned with previous human research, revealing that eyebrows are the most critical feature for face recognition, followed by eyes, mouth, and nose, in that order. The results demonstrated that the presence of eyebrows was more crucial than their specific high-frequency details, such as edges and textures, compared to other facial features, where the details also played a significant role. Furthermore, our results revealed that, unlike other facial features, the activation map indicated that the significance of eyebrows areas could not be readily adjusted to compensate for the absence of eyebrow information. This finding explains why masking eyebrows led to more significant deficits in face recognition performance. Additionally, we observed a synergistic relationship among facial features, providing evidence for holistic processing of faces within the DCNN.DiscussionOverall, our study sheds light on the underlying mechanisms of face recognition and underscores the potential of using DCNNs as valuable tools for further exploration in this field.","PeriodicalId":12363,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience","volume":"3 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1000,"publicationDate":"2024-04-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fncom.2024.1209082","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"MATHEMATICAL & COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
IntroductionFace recognition has been a longstanding subject of interest in the fields of cognitive neuroscience and computer vision research. One key focus has been to understand the relative importance of different facial features in identifying individuals. Previous studies in humans have demonstrated the crucial role of eyebrows in face recognition, potentially even surpassing the importance of the eyes. However, eyebrows are not only vital for face recognition but also play a significant role in recognizing facial expressions and intentions, which might occur simultaneously and influence the face recognition process.MethodsTo address these challenges, our current study aimed to leverage the power of deep convolutional neural networks (DCNNs), an artificial face recognition system, which can be specifically tailored for face recognition tasks. In this study, we investigated the relative importance of various facial features in face recognition by selectively blocking feature information from the input to the DCNN. Additionally, we conducted experiments in which we systematically blurred the information related to eyebrows to varying degrees.ResultsOur findings aligned with previous human research, revealing that eyebrows are the most critical feature for face recognition, followed by eyes, mouth, and nose, in that order. The results demonstrated that the presence of eyebrows was more crucial than their specific high-frequency details, such as edges and textures, compared to other facial features, where the details also played a significant role. Furthermore, our results revealed that, unlike other facial features, the activation map indicated that the significance of eyebrows areas could not be readily adjusted to compensate for the absence of eyebrow information. This finding explains why masking eyebrows led to more significant deficits in face recognition performance. Additionally, we observed a synergistic relationship among facial features, providing evidence for holistic processing of faces within the DCNN.DiscussionOverall, our study sheds light on the underlying mechanisms of face recognition and underscores the potential of using DCNNs as valuable tools for further exploration in this field.
期刊介绍:
Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience is a first-tier electronic journal devoted to promoting theoretical modeling of brain function and fostering interdisciplinary interactions between theoretical and experimental neuroscience. Progress in understanding the amazing capabilities of the brain is still limited, and we believe that it will only come with deep theoretical thinking and mutually stimulating cooperation between different disciplines and approaches. We therefore invite original contributions on a wide range of topics that present the fruits of such cooperation, or provide stimuli for future alliances. We aim to provide an interactive forum for cutting-edge theoretical studies of the nervous system, and for promulgating the best theoretical research to the broader neuroscience community. Models of all styles and at all levels are welcome, from biophysically motivated realistic simulations of neurons and synapses to high-level abstract models of inference and decision making. While the journal is primarily focused on theoretically based and driven research, we welcome experimental studies that validate and test theoretical conclusions.
Also: comp neuro