Slide
Centre Interdisciplinaire
de Recherche et d’Innovation
en Cybersécurité et Société
de Recherche et d’Innovation
en Cybersécurité et Société
1.
Côté, L.; Lamontagne, J.; Bellerose, A.; Blais, C.; Fiset, D.
The eyes are central to face detection: revisiting the foundations of face processing Journal Article
In: Vision Research, vol. 243, 2026, ISSN: 00426989 (ISSN).
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: adult, article, Black person, Bubbles, Categorization, Caucasian, Detection, emotion assessment, Faces, Facial Recognition, facies, female, human, human experiment, Image analysis, information processing, Information use, male, Noise, normal human, perception, Prosopagnosia, spatial frequency discrimination, task performance, visual discrimination, Young Adult
@article{cote_eyes_2026,
title = {The eyes are central to face detection: revisiting the foundations of face processing},
author = {L. Côté and J. Lamontagne and A. Bellerose and C. Blais and D. Fiset},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-105030389147&doi=10.1016%2Fj.visres.2026.108785&partnerID=40&md5=752aa5d9923ac60539e36118ad41e1e6},
doi = {10.1016/j.visres.2026.108785},
issn = {00426989 (ISSN)},
year = {2026},
date = {2026-01-01},
journal = {Vision Research},
volume = {243},
abstract = {Face detection feels effortless, yet it requires finely tuned computations to extract socially meaningful signals from the visual stream. Here, we used the Bubbles method to isolate the facial features and spatial frequency information that support face categorization. Across three experiments varying in task demands and visual context, the eye region consistently emerged as the most diagnostic source of information, particularly in high spatial frequencies. This finding held whether participants distinguished faces from noise, from non-face objects, or from real-world categories—suggesting that the eyes serve as an anchor point for categorization across contexts. Strikingly, this diagnostic profile mirrors that found in face identification tasks, implying that detection and recognition may rely on shared perceptual mechanisms rather than sequential, independent processes. This overlap sheds light on longstanding ambiguities in the prosopagnosia literature, indicating that detection impairments found in patients may stem from a broader failure to extract critical eye information. More broadly, our results invite a rethinking of the early stages of face processing, suggesting that detection already involves selective use of diagnostic facial features that supports recognition, emotional decoding, and social perception. © 2026 The Author(s).},
keywords = {adult, article, Black person, Bubbles, Categorization, Caucasian, Detection, emotion assessment, Faces, Facial Recognition, facies, female, human, human experiment, Image analysis, information processing, Information use, male, Noise, normal human, perception, Prosopagnosia, spatial frequency discrimination, task performance, visual discrimination, Young Adult},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Face detection feels effortless, yet it requires finely tuned computations to extract socially meaningful signals from the visual stream. Here, we used the Bubbles method to isolate the facial features and spatial frequency information that support face categorization. Across three experiments varying in task demands and visual context, the eye region consistently emerged as the most diagnostic source of information, particularly in high spatial frequencies. This finding held whether participants distinguished faces from noise, from non-face objects, or from real-world categories—suggesting that the eyes serve as an anchor point for categorization across contexts. Strikingly, this diagnostic profile mirrors that found in face identification tasks, implying that detection and recognition may rely on shared perceptual mechanisms rather than sequential, independent processes. This overlap sheds light on longstanding ambiguities in the prosopagnosia literature, indicating that detection impairments found in patients may stem from a broader failure to extract critical eye information. More broadly, our results invite a rethinking of the early stages of face processing, suggesting that detection already involves selective use of diagnostic facial features that supports recognition, emotional decoding, and social perception. © 2026 The Author(s).
2.
António, H.; Albuquerque, S.; de Castro, M. Vieira; Bouchard, S.; Gamito, P.; Pinto, R. J.
In: Psychiatry International, vol. 7, no. 4, 2026, ISSN: 26735318 (ISSN).
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: adult, Anxiety, article, cross-sectional study, decision making, Depression, DSM-5, female, Global Severity Index, hostility, human, human experiment, Latent Class Analysis, LEC-5, major clinical study, male, paranoia, phobia, police, Positive symptom distress index, Positive symptom total, posttraumatic stress disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder checklist, Proximal Traumatic Exposure, psychological distress, psychosis, PTSD, questionnaire, receiver operating characteristic, Security, security professionals, self report, sociodemographics, trauma exposure
@article{antonioLatentClassesProximal2026,
title = {Latent Classes of Proximal Traumatic Exposure Among Portuguese Police and Security Professionals: Associations with PTSD Symptoms and Psychological Distress},
author = {H. António and S. Albuquerque and M. Vieira de Castro and S. Bouchard and P. Gamito and R. J. Pinto},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105048524559?origin=resultslist},
doi = {10.3390/psychiatryint7040173},
issn = {26735318 (ISSN)},
year = {2026},
date = {2026-01-01},
journal = {Psychiatry International},
volume = {7},
number = {4},
publisher = {Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)},
abstract = {Background: Police and security professionals are routinely exposed to potentially traumatic events as part of occupational duties, placing them at increased risk for post-traumatic stress and broader psychological difficulties. This study aimed to identify latent classes of proximal traumatic exposure among Portuguese police/security professionals and examine their associations with PTSD symptoms and general psychological distress. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with Portuguese police/security professionals (N = 644). Latent class analysis (LCA) was applied to 17 indicators of potentially traumatic events coded as directly experienced or witnessed, derived from the Life Events Checklist for DSM-5. PTSD symptoms were assessed using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5, and general psychological distress was assessed using the Brief Symptom Inventory. Exploratory receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses examined whether counts of proximal traumatic events could approximate the LCA-derived classes. Results: A three-class solution was identified, comprising low proximal exposure (37.3%), moderate proximal exposure (40.7%), and high proximal/cumulative exposure (22.0%) classes. The classes reflected a graded cumulative pattern of exposure across traumatic event categories, rather than clearly distinct qualitative configurations defined by specific event types. Higher exposure classes were associated with progressively higher PTSD symptoms and psychological distress, and these associations remained significant after adjustment for sociodemographic and occupational variables. Exploratory receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses showed that a simple count of proximal traumatic event categories closely approximated the empirically derived class structure within the present sample. However, the resulting thresholds are sample-specific, exploratory, and should not be interpreted as validated screening cutoffs. Conclusions: Proximal traumatic exposure among police/security professionals appears to follow a graded cumulative structure associated with increased PTSD symptoms and psychological distress. The person-centered analysis provided an empirical test of whether exposure was organized according to qualitatively distinct event configurations or primarily along a cumulative gradient. In this sample, cumulative exposure burden emerged as the dominant organizing dimension. The count-based approximation requires external validation before any screening or decision-making application can be considered. © 2026 by the authors.},
keywords = {adult, Anxiety, article, cross-sectional study, decision making, Depression, DSM-5, female, Global Severity Index, hostility, human, human experiment, Latent Class Analysis, LEC-5, major clinical study, male, paranoia, phobia, police, Positive symptom distress index, Positive symptom total, posttraumatic stress disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder checklist, Proximal Traumatic Exposure, psychological distress, psychosis, PTSD, questionnaire, receiver operating characteristic, Security, security professionals, self report, sociodemographics, trauma exposure},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Background: Police and security professionals are routinely exposed to potentially traumatic events as part of occupational duties, placing them at increased risk for post-traumatic stress and broader psychological difficulties. This study aimed to identify latent classes of proximal traumatic exposure among Portuguese police/security professionals and examine their associations with PTSD symptoms and general psychological distress. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with Portuguese police/security professionals (N = 644). Latent class analysis (LCA) was applied to 17 indicators of potentially traumatic events coded as directly experienced or witnessed, derived from the Life Events Checklist for DSM-5. PTSD symptoms were assessed using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5, and general psychological distress was assessed using the Brief Symptom Inventory. Exploratory receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses examined whether counts of proximal traumatic events could approximate the LCA-derived classes. Results: A three-class solution was identified, comprising low proximal exposure (37.3%), moderate proximal exposure (40.7%), and high proximal/cumulative exposure (22.0%) classes. The classes reflected a graded cumulative pattern of exposure across traumatic event categories, rather than clearly distinct qualitative configurations defined by specific event types. Higher exposure classes were associated with progressively higher PTSD symptoms and psychological distress, and these associations remained significant after adjustment for sociodemographic and occupational variables. Exploratory receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses showed that a simple count of proximal traumatic event categories closely approximated the empirically derived class structure within the present sample. However, the resulting thresholds are sample-specific, exploratory, and should not be interpreted as validated screening cutoffs. Conclusions: Proximal traumatic exposure among police/security professionals appears to follow a graded cumulative structure associated with increased PTSD symptoms and psychological distress. The person-centered analysis provided an empirical test of whether exposure was organized according to qualitatively distinct event configurations or primarily along a cumulative gradient. In this sample, cumulative exposure burden emerged as the dominant organizing dimension. The count-based approximation requires external validation before any screening or decision-making application can be considered. © 2026 by the authors.
3.
Rigas, C.; Lavin, P.; Su, C. -L.; Hassan, M.; Cinalioglu, K.; Vacaflor, B.; Dikaios, E.; Goodman, A.; Ibrahim, M.; Gruber, J.; Se, J.; Sasi, N.; Nazar, R.; Bodenstein, K.; Elbaz, S.; Fajzel, H.; Berkani, S.; Hanganu, C.; Noble, H.; Looper, K.; Bouchard, S.; Seitz, D.; Kumar, S.; Beauchet, O.; Launay, C.; McDonald, E.; Khoury, B.; Ryder, A.; Battistini, B.; Fallavollita, P.; Vahia, I.; Sekhon, H.; Bukhari, S.; Rej, S.
In: BMC Psychiatry, vol. 26, no. 1, 2026, ISSN: 1471244X (ISSN).
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: 80 and over, adult, aged, Anxiety, article, clinical outcome, clinician, cohort analysis, coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19, demographics, Depression, female, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, Geriatric mental health, health hazard, health program, human, human experiment, Humans, informed consent, male, Mental health, Mental Health Teletherapy, mental stress, older adults, Patient Health Questionnaire 9, Perceived Stress Scale, physiological stress, prediction, Predictors of treatment response, Prospective Studies, prospective study, Psychological, psychology, SARS-CoV-2, secondary analysis, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, Social isolation, social worker, Stress, telehealth, Telemedicine, teletherapy, Therapy, treatment response, very elderly, Volunteer-based intervention
@article{rigasOptimizingFutureTelehealth2026,
title = {Optimizing future Telehealth mental health programs: a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study to identify key predictors of intervention response in the Telehealth intervention program for older adults (TIP-OA)},
author = {C. Rigas and P. Lavin and C. -L. Su and M. Hassan and K. Cinalioglu and B. Vacaflor and E. Dikaios and A. Goodman and M. Ibrahim and J. Gruber and J. Se and N. Sasi and R. Nazar and K. Bodenstein and S. Elbaz and H. Fajzel and S. Berkani and C. Hanganu and H. Noble and K. Looper and S. Bouchard and D. Seitz and S. Kumar and O. Beauchet and C. Launay and E. McDonald and B. Khoury and A. Ryder and B. Battistini and P. Fallavollita and I. Vahia and H. Sekhon and S. Bukhari and S. Rej},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105038539121?origin=resultslist},
doi = {10.1186/s12888-025-07688-1},
issn = {1471244X (ISSN)},
year = {2026},
date = {2026-01-01},
journal = {BMC Psychiatry},
volume = {26},
number = {1},
publisher = {BioMed Central Ltd},
abstract = {Background: The Telehealth Intervention Program for Older Adults (TIP-OA) was a volunteer-based phone support program for to older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. While volunteer-based phone programs can be effective in providing mental health support, there is limited data on the predictors of response to such interventions. This study aimed to examine clinical and demographic predictors of response to the TIP-OA intervention among older adults. Methods: This secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study included 82 TIP-OA users who expressed interest in the program’s research component, met inclusion criteria, and provided informed consent. Participants completed both baseline and 8-week assessments or had 4-week data carried forward using the last observation carried forward (LOCF) method. The intervention consisted of weekly supportive phone calls over eight weeks. Baseline mental health risk level was assessed by clinicians during intake and categorized as low, medium, or high based on symptom severity within specific symptom categories. Associations between baseline risk level and changes in stress (primary outcome), depression, and anxiety (secondary outcomes) were examined. The primary outcome was measured by the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS; scores ranging from 0 (never) to 4 (very often)). Secondary outcomes were measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9; scores ranging from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day)), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale (GAD-7; scores can range from 0 (not at all sure) to 3 (nearly every day)). Results: At 8 -week follow-up assessment, participants with higher baseline risk levels showed greater reductions in stress (mean difference in Perceived Stress Scale reduction by 2.13, (F(1,77) = 2.82},
keywords = {80 and over, adult, aged, Anxiety, article, clinical outcome, clinician, cohort analysis, coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19, demographics, Depression, female, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, Geriatric mental health, health hazard, health program, human, human experiment, Humans, informed consent, male, Mental health, Mental Health Teletherapy, mental stress, older adults, Patient Health Questionnaire 9, Perceived Stress Scale, physiological stress, prediction, Predictors of treatment response, Prospective Studies, prospective study, Psychological, psychology, SARS-CoV-2, secondary analysis, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, Social isolation, social worker, Stress, telehealth, Telemedicine, teletherapy, Therapy, treatment response, very elderly, Volunteer-based intervention},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Background: The Telehealth Intervention Program for Older Adults (TIP-OA) was a volunteer-based phone support program for to older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. While volunteer-based phone programs can be effective in providing mental health support, there is limited data on the predictors of response to such interventions. This study aimed to examine clinical and demographic predictors of response to the TIP-OA intervention among older adults. Methods: This secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study included 82 TIP-OA users who expressed interest in the program’s research component, met inclusion criteria, and provided informed consent. Participants completed both baseline and 8-week assessments or had 4-week data carried forward using the last observation carried forward (LOCF) method. The intervention consisted of weekly supportive phone calls over eight weeks. Baseline mental health risk level was assessed by clinicians during intake and categorized as low, medium, or high based on symptom severity within specific symptom categories. Associations between baseline risk level and changes in stress (primary outcome), depression, and anxiety (secondary outcomes) were examined. The primary outcome was measured by the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS; scores ranging from 0 (never) to 4 (very often)). Secondary outcomes were measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9; scores ranging from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day)), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale (GAD-7; scores can range from 0 (not at all sure) to 3 (nearly every day)). Results: At 8 -week follow-up assessment, participants with higher baseline risk levels showed greater reductions in stress (mean difference in Perceived Stress Scale reduction by 2.13, (F(1,77) = 2.82
4.
Côté, L.; Lamontagne, J.; Bellerose, A.; Blais, C.; Fiset, D.
The eyes are central to face detection: revisiting the foundations of face processing Journal Article
In: Vision Research, vol. 243, 2026, ISSN: 00426989 (ISSN).
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: adult, article, Black person, Bubbles, Categorization, Caucasian, Detection, emotion assessment, Eye, Face, Faces, Facial Recognition, facies, female, human, human experiment, Humans, Image analysis, information processing, Information use, male, Noise, normal human, Pattern Recognition, perception, Photic Stimulation, photostimulation, physiology, procedures, Prosopagnosia, psychology, recognition, Social Perception, spatial frequency discrimination, task performance, Visual, visual discrimination, visual pattern recognition, Young Adult
@article{coteEyesAreCentral2026,
title = {The eyes are central to face detection: revisiting the foundations of face processing},
author = {L. Côté and J. Lamontagne and A. Bellerose and C. Blais and D. Fiset},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105030389147?origin=resultslist},
doi = {10.1016/j.visres.2026.108785},
issn = {00426989 (ISSN)},
year = {2026},
date = {2026-01-01},
journal = {Vision Research},
volume = {243},
publisher = {Elsevier Ltd},
abstract = {Face detection feels effortless, yet it requires finely tuned computations to extract socially meaningful signals from the visual stream. Here, we used the Bubbles method to isolate the facial features and spatial frequency information that support face categorization. Across three experiments varying in task demands and visual context, the eye region consistently emerged as the most diagnostic source of information, particularly in high spatial frequencies. This finding held whether participants distinguished faces from noise, from non-face objects, or from real-world categories—suggesting that the eyes serve as an anchor point for categorization across contexts. Strikingly, this diagnostic profile mirrors that found in face identification tasks, implying that detection and recognition may rely on shared perceptual mechanisms rather than sequential, independent processes. This overlap sheds light on longstanding ambiguities in the prosopagnosia literature, indicating that detection impairments found in patients may stem from a broader failure to extract critical eye information. More broadly, our results invite a rethinking of the early stages of face processing, suggesting that detection already involves selective use of diagnostic facial features that supports recognition, emotional decoding, and social perception. © 2026 The Author(s).},
keywords = {adult, article, Black person, Bubbles, Categorization, Caucasian, Detection, emotion assessment, Eye, Face, Faces, Facial Recognition, facies, female, human, human experiment, Humans, Image analysis, information processing, Information use, male, Noise, normal human, Pattern Recognition, perception, Photic Stimulation, photostimulation, physiology, procedures, Prosopagnosia, psychology, recognition, Social Perception, spatial frequency discrimination, task performance, Visual, visual discrimination, visual pattern recognition, Young Adult},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Face detection feels effortless, yet it requires finely tuned computations to extract socially meaningful signals from the visual stream. Here, we used the Bubbles method to isolate the facial features and spatial frequency information that support face categorization. Across three experiments varying in task demands and visual context, the eye region consistently emerged as the most diagnostic source of information, particularly in high spatial frequencies. This finding held whether participants distinguished faces from noise, from non-face objects, or from real-world categories—suggesting that the eyes serve as an anchor point for categorization across contexts. Strikingly, this diagnostic profile mirrors that found in face identification tasks, implying that detection and recognition may rely on shared perceptual mechanisms rather than sequential, independent processes. This overlap sheds light on longstanding ambiguities in the prosopagnosia literature, indicating that detection impairments found in patients may stem from a broader failure to extract critical eye information. More broadly, our results invite a rethinking of the early stages of face processing, suggesting that detection already involves selective use of diagnostic facial features that supports recognition, emotional decoding, and social perception. © 2026 The Author(s).
5.
Côté, L.; Lamontagne, J.; Bellerose, A.; Blais, C.; Fiset, D.
The eyes are central to face detection: revisiting the foundations of face processing Journal Article
In: Vision Research, vol. 243, 2026, ISSN: 00426989 (ISSN).
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: adult, article, Black person, Bubbles, Categorization, Caucasian, Detection, emotion assessment, Faces, Facial Recognition, facies, female, human, human experiment, Image analysis, information processing, Information use, male, Noise, normal human, perception, Prosopagnosia, spatial frequency discrimination, task performance, visual discrimination, Young Adult
@article{coteEyesAreCentral2026a,
title = {The eyes are central to face detection: revisiting the foundations of face processing},
author = {L. Côté and J. Lamontagne and A. Bellerose and C. Blais and D. Fiset},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-105030389147&doi=10.1016%2Fj.visres.2026.108785&partnerID=40&md5=752aa5d9923ac60539e36118ad41e1e6},
doi = {10.1016/j.visres.2026.108785},
issn = {00426989 (ISSN)},
year = {2026},
date = {2026-01-01},
journal = {Vision Research},
volume = {243},
abstract = {Face detection feels effortless, yet it requires finely tuned computations to extract socially meaningful signals from the visual stream. Here, we used the Bubbles method to isolate the facial features and spatial frequency information that support face categorization. Across three experiments varying in task demands and visual context, the eye region consistently emerged as the most diagnostic source of information, particularly in high spatial frequencies. This finding held whether participants distinguished faces from noise, from non-face objects, or from real-world categories—suggesting that the eyes serve as an anchor point for categorization across contexts. Strikingly, this diagnostic profile mirrors that found in face identification tasks, implying that detection and recognition may rely on shared perceptual mechanisms rather than sequential, independent processes. This overlap sheds light on longstanding ambiguities in the prosopagnosia literature, indicating that detection impairments found in patients may stem from a broader failure to extract critical eye information. More broadly, our results invite a rethinking of the early stages of face processing, suggesting that detection already involves selective use of diagnostic facial features that supports recognition, emotional decoding, and social perception. © 2026 The Author(s).},
keywords = {adult, article, Black person, Bubbles, Categorization, Caucasian, Detection, emotion assessment, Faces, Facial Recognition, facies, female, human, human experiment, Image analysis, information processing, Information use, male, Noise, normal human, perception, Prosopagnosia, spatial frequency discrimination, task performance, visual discrimination, Young Adult},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Face detection feels effortless, yet it requires finely tuned computations to extract socially meaningful signals from the visual stream. Here, we used the Bubbles method to isolate the facial features and spatial frequency information that support face categorization. Across three experiments varying in task demands and visual context, the eye region consistently emerged as the most diagnostic source of information, particularly in high spatial frequencies. This finding held whether participants distinguished faces from noise, from non-face objects, or from real-world categories—suggesting that the eyes serve as an anchor point for categorization across contexts. Strikingly, this diagnostic profile mirrors that found in face identification tasks, implying that detection and recognition may rely on shared perceptual mechanisms rather than sequential, independent processes. This overlap sheds light on longstanding ambiguities in the prosopagnosia literature, indicating that detection impairments found in patients may stem from a broader failure to extract critical eye information. More broadly, our results invite a rethinking of the early stages of face processing, suggesting that detection already involves selective use of diagnostic facial features that supports recognition, emotional decoding, and social perception. © 2026 The Author(s).
6.
Blais, C.; Fiset, D.; Côté, L.; Ledrou-Paquet, V.; Charbonneau, I.
Conducting online visual psychophysics experiments: A replication assessment of two face processing studies Journal Article
In: Vision Research, vol. 233, 2025, ISSN: 00426989 (ISSN), (Publisher: Elsevier Ltd).
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: adult, article, cultural factor, experiment, Facial Recognition, female, geography, human, human experiment, Humans, information processing, laboratory, male, normal human, online system, Photic Stimulation, photostimulation, physiology, procedures, psychology, Psychophysics, recognition, stimulus response, vision, visual stimulation, Young Adult
@article{blais_conducting_2025,
title = {Conducting online visual psychophysics experiments: A replication assessment of two face processing studies},
author = {C. Blais and D. Fiset and L. Côté and V. Ledrou-Paquet and I. Charbonneau},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-105004807446&doi=10.1016%2fj.visres.2025.108617&partnerID=40&md5=771b056e57c4d7a34ff7c56ce39a4bd2},
doi = {10.1016/j.visres.2025.108617},
issn = {00426989 (ISSN)},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-01-01},
journal = {Vision Research},
volume = {233},
publisher = {Elsevier Ltd},
abstract = {In vision sciences, researchers rigorously control the testing environment and the physical properties of stimuli, making it challenging to conduct visual perception experiments online. However, online research offers key advantages, including access to larger and more diverse participant samples, helping to address the problem of underpowered studies and to enhance the generalizability of results. In face recognition research, increasing diversity is essential, especially considering evidence that cultural and geographical factors influence basic visual face processing. The present study tested a new online platform, Pack & Go from VPixx Technologies, that supports experiments written in MATLAB and Python. Two face recognition experiments based on a data-driven psychophysical method involving real-time stimulus manipulation and relying on functions from the Psychtoolbox were tested. In Experiment 1, the visual information used for face recognition was compared across four conditions that gradually reduced experimental control over the testing environment and stimulus properties. In Experiment 2, the association between face recognition abilities and information utilization was measured online and compared to lab-based results. In both experiments, results obtained in the lab and online were highly similar, demonstrating the potential of online research for vision science. © 2025 The Author(s)},
note = {Publisher: Elsevier Ltd},
keywords = {adult, article, cultural factor, experiment, Facial Recognition, female, geography, human, human experiment, Humans, information processing, laboratory, male, normal human, online system, Photic Stimulation, photostimulation, physiology, procedures, psychology, Psychophysics, recognition, stimulus response, vision, visual stimulation, Young Adult},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
In vision sciences, researchers rigorously control the testing environment and the physical properties of stimuli, making it challenging to conduct visual perception experiments online. However, online research offers key advantages, including access to larger and more diverse participant samples, helping to address the problem of underpowered studies and to enhance the generalizability of results. In face recognition research, increasing diversity is essential, especially considering evidence that cultural and geographical factors influence basic visual face processing. The present study tested a new online platform, Pack & Go from VPixx Technologies, that supports experiments written in MATLAB and Python. Two face recognition experiments based on a data-driven psychophysical method involving real-time stimulus manipulation and relying on functions from the Psychtoolbox were tested. In Experiment 1, the visual information used for face recognition was compared across four conditions that gradually reduced experimental control over the testing environment and stimulus properties. In Experiment 2, the association between face recognition abilities and information utilization was measured online and compared to lab-based results. In both experiments, results obtained in the lab and online were highly similar, demonstrating the potential of online research for vision science. © 2025 The Author(s)
7.
Audette, P. -L.; Côté, L.; Blais, C.; Duncan, J.; Gingras, F.; Fiset, D.
Part-based processing, but not holistic processing, predicts individual differences in face recognition abilities Journal Article
In: Cognition, vol. 256, 2025, ISSN: 00100277 (ISSN), (Publisher: Elsevier B.V.).
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Adolescent, adult, article, face perception, face recognition, Facial Recognition, female, human, human experiment, Humans, Individual differences, Individuality, Integration efficiency, male, multiple linear regression analysis, physiology, psychology, Psychophysics, recognition, Young Adult
@article{audette_part-based_2025,
title = {Part-based processing, but not holistic processing, predicts individual differences in face recognition abilities},
author = {P. -L. Audette and L. Côté and C. Blais and J. Duncan and F. Gingras and D. Fiset},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85213575434&doi=10.1016%2fj.cognition.2024.106057&partnerID=40&md5=135d2ba1bdf18648b57db0d3a93d0628},
doi = {10.1016/j.cognition.2024.106057},
issn = {00100277 (ISSN)},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-01-01},
journal = {Cognition},
volume = {256},
publisher = {Elsevier B.V.},
abstract = {This study aimed to assess the roles of part-based and holistic processing for face processing ability (FPA). A psychophysical paradigm in which the efficiency at recognizing isolated or combined facial parts was used (N = 64), and holistic processing was defined as the perceptual integration from multiple parts. FPA and object processing ability were measured using a battery of tasks. A multiple linear regression including three predictors, namely perceptual integration, part-based efficiency, and object processing, explained 40 % of the variance in FPA. Most importantly, our results reveal a strong predictive relationship between part-based efficiency and FPA, a small predictive relationship between object processing ability and FPA, and no predictive relationship between perceptual integration and FPA. This result was obtained despite considerable variance in perceptual integration skills–with some participants exhibiting a highly efficient integration. These results indicate that part-based processing plays a pivotal role in FPA, whereas holistic processing does not. © 2024 The Authors},
note = {Publisher: Elsevier B.V.},
keywords = {Adolescent, adult, article, face perception, face recognition, Facial Recognition, female, human, human experiment, Humans, Individual differences, Individuality, Integration efficiency, male, multiple linear regression analysis, physiology, psychology, Psychophysics, recognition, Young Adult},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
This study aimed to assess the roles of part-based and holistic processing for face processing ability (FPA). A psychophysical paradigm in which the efficiency at recognizing isolated or combined facial parts was used (N = 64), and holistic processing was defined as the perceptual integration from multiple parts. FPA and object processing ability were measured using a battery of tasks. A multiple linear regression including three predictors, namely perceptual integration, part-based efficiency, and object processing, explained 40 % of the variance in FPA. Most importantly, our results reveal a strong predictive relationship between part-based efficiency and FPA, a small predictive relationship between object processing ability and FPA, and no predictive relationship between perceptual integration and FPA. This result was obtained despite considerable variance in perceptual integration skills–with some participants exhibiting a highly efficient integration. These results indicate that part-based processing plays a pivotal role in FPA, whereas holistic processing does not. © 2024 The Authors
8.
Blais, C.; Fiset, D.; Côté, L.; Ledrou-Paquet, V.; Charbonneau, I.
Conducting online visual psychophysics experiments: A replication assessment of two face processing studies Journal Article
In: Vision Research, vol. 233, 2025, ISSN: 00426989 (ISSN).
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: adult, article, cultural factor, experiment, Facial Recognition, female, geography, human, human experiment, Humans, information processing, laboratory, male, normal human, online system, Photic Stimulation, photostimulation, physiology, procedures, psychology, Psychophysics, recognition, stimulus response, vision, visual stimulation, Young Adult
@article{blaisConductingOnlineVisual2025a,
title = {Conducting online visual psychophysics experiments: A replication assessment of two face processing studies},
author = {C. Blais and D. Fiset and L. Côté and V. Ledrou-Paquet and I. Charbonneau},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105004807446?origin=resultslist},
doi = {10.1016/j.visres.2025.108617},
issn = {00426989 (ISSN)},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-01-01},
journal = {Vision Research},
volume = {233},
publisher = {Elsevier Ltd},
abstract = {In vision sciences, researchers rigorously control the testing environment and the physical properties of stimuli, making it challenging to conduct visual perception experiments online. However, online research offers key advantages, including access to larger and more diverse participant samples, helping to address the problem of underpowered studies and to enhance the generalizability of results. In face recognition research, increasing diversity is essential, especially considering evidence that cultural and geographical factors influence basic visual face processing. The present study tested a new online platform, Pack & Go from VPixx Technologies, that supports experiments written in MATLAB and Python. Two face recognition experiments based on a data-driven psychophysical method involving real-time stimulus manipulation and relying on functions from the Psychtoolbox were tested. In Experiment 1, the visual information used for face recognition was compared across four conditions that gradually reduced experimental control over the testing environment and stimulus properties. In Experiment 2, the association between face recognition abilities and information utilization was measured online and compared to lab-based results. In both experiments, results obtained in the lab and online were highly similar, demonstrating the potential of online research for vision science. © 2025 The Author(s)},
keywords = {adult, article, cultural factor, experiment, Facial Recognition, female, geography, human, human experiment, Humans, information processing, laboratory, male, normal human, online system, Photic Stimulation, photostimulation, physiology, procedures, psychology, Psychophysics, recognition, stimulus response, vision, visual stimulation, Young Adult},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
In vision sciences, researchers rigorously control the testing environment and the physical properties of stimuli, making it challenging to conduct visual perception experiments online. However, online research offers key advantages, including access to larger and more diverse participant samples, helping to address the problem of underpowered studies and to enhance the generalizability of results. In face recognition research, increasing diversity is essential, especially considering evidence that cultural and geographical factors influence basic visual face processing. The present study tested a new online platform, Pack & Go from VPixx Technologies, that supports experiments written in MATLAB and Python. Two face recognition experiments based on a data-driven psychophysical method involving real-time stimulus manipulation and relying on functions from the Psychtoolbox were tested. In Experiment 1, the visual information used for face recognition was compared across four conditions that gradually reduced experimental control over the testing environment and stimulus properties. In Experiment 2, the association between face recognition abilities and information utilization was measured online and compared to lab-based results. In both experiments, results obtained in the lab and online were highly similar, demonstrating the potential of online research for vision science. © 2025 The Author(s)
9.
Audette, P. -L.; Côté, L.; Blais, C.; Duncan, J.; Gingras, F.; Fiset, D.
Part-based processing, but not holistic processing, predicts individual differences in face recognition abilities Journal Article
In: Cognition, vol. 256, 2025, ISSN: 00100277 (ISSN).
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Adolescent, adult, article, face perception, face recognition, Facial Recognition, female, human, human experiment, Humans, Individual differences, Individuality, Integration efficiency, male, multiple linear regression analysis, physiology, psychology, Psychophysics, recognition, Young Adult
@article{audettePartbasedProcessingNot2025a,
title = {Part-based processing, but not holistic processing, predicts individual differences in face recognition abilities},
author = {P. -L. Audette and L. Côté and C. Blais and J. Duncan and F. Gingras and D. Fiset},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85213575434?origin=resultslist},
doi = {10.1016/j.cognition.2024.106057},
issn = {00100277 (ISSN)},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-01-01},
journal = {Cognition},
volume = {256},
publisher = {Elsevier B.V.},
abstract = {This study aimed to assess the roles of part-based and holistic processing for face processing ability (FPA). A psychophysical paradigm in which the efficiency at recognizing isolated or combined facial parts was used (N = 64), and holistic processing was defined as the perceptual integration from multiple parts. FPA and object processing ability were measured using a battery of tasks. A multiple linear regression including three predictors, namely perceptual integration, part-based efficiency, and object processing, explained 40 % of the variance in FPA. Most importantly, our results reveal a strong predictive relationship between part-based efficiency and FPA, a small predictive relationship between object processing ability and FPA, and no predictive relationship between perceptual integration and FPA. This result was obtained despite considerable variance in perceptual integration skills–with some participants exhibiting a highly efficient integration. These results indicate that part-based processing plays a pivotal role in FPA, whereas holistic processing does not. © 2024 The Authors},
keywords = {Adolescent, adult, article, face perception, face recognition, Facial Recognition, female, human, human experiment, Humans, Individual differences, Individuality, Integration efficiency, male, multiple linear regression analysis, physiology, psychology, Psychophysics, recognition, Young Adult},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
This study aimed to assess the roles of part-based and holistic processing for face processing ability (FPA). A psychophysical paradigm in which the efficiency at recognizing isolated or combined facial parts was used (N = 64), and holistic processing was defined as the perceptual integration from multiple parts. FPA and object processing ability were measured using a battery of tasks. A multiple linear regression including three predictors, namely perceptual integration, part-based efficiency, and object processing, explained 40 % of the variance in FPA. Most importantly, our results reveal a strong predictive relationship between part-based efficiency and FPA, a small predictive relationship between object processing ability and FPA, and no predictive relationship between perceptual integration and FPA. This result was obtained despite considerable variance in perceptual integration skills–with some participants exhibiting a highly efficient integration. These results indicate that part-based processing plays a pivotal role in FPA, whereas holistic processing does not. © 2024 The Authors
10.
Richer, A.; Gingras, F.; Plouffe-Demers, M. -P.; Fiset, D.; Blais, C.
Is it pain, anger, disgust, or sadness? Individual differences in expectations of pain facial expressions. Journal Article
In: Emotion, vol. 25, no. 7, pp. 1750–1763, 2025, ISSN: 15283542 (ISSN).
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: adult, anger, article, awareness, confusion, disgust, emotion, emotionality, Emotions, Facial Expression, facial expressions confusion, Facial Recognition, Fear, female, human, human experiment, Humans, Individual differences, Individuality, joy, male, mental representation, Pain, pain facial expression, Pain facial expressions, perception, physiology, psychology, Reverse correlation, sadness, Social Perception, suprise, Young Adult
@article{richerItPainAnger2025a,
title = {Is it pain, anger, disgust, or sadness? Individual differences in expectations of pain facial expressions.},
author = {A. Richer and F. Gingras and M. -P. Plouffe-Demers and D. Fiset and C. Blais},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105002303060?origin=resultslist},
doi = {10.1037/emo0001516},
issn = {15283542 (ISSN)},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-01-01},
journal = {Emotion},
volume = {25},
number = {7},
pages = {1750–1763},
publisher = {American Psychological Association},
abstract = {Humans rely on facial expressions to assess others’ affective states. However, pain facial expressions are poorly recognized and are often confused with other negative affective states, such as anger, disgust, sadness, and fear. Previous research has shown that individuals’ expectations about the appearance of pain facial expressions are not optimal and do not perfectly reflect the facial features typically observed in individuals expressing pain. In the present study, we verified if expectations about pain facial expressions are also suboptimal by overlapping with other affective states. We relied on two published data sets (data collected between 2017 and 2020) containing images representing the expectations of the appearance of pain facial expressions according to 162 White participants. We then asked an independent group of White participants (N = 60, 30 women},
keywords = {adult, anger, article, awareness, confusion, disgust, emotion, emotionality, Emotions, Facial Expression, facial expressions confusion, Facial Recognition, Fear, female, human, human experiment, Humans, Individual differences, Individuality, joy, male, mental representation, Pain, pain facial expression, Pain facial expressions, perception, physiology, psychology, Reverse correlation, sadness, Social Perception, suprise, Young Adult},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Humans rely on facial expressions to assess others’ affective states. However, pain facial expressions are poorly recognized and are often confused with other negative affective states, such as anger, disgust, sadness, and fear. Previous research has shown that individuals’ expectations about the appearance of pain facial expressions are not optimal and do not perfectly reflect the facial features typically observed in individuals expressing pain. In the present study, we verified if expectations about pain facial expressions are also suboptimal by overlapping with other affective states. We relied on two published data sets (data collected between 2017 and 2020) containing images representing the expectations of the appearance of pain facial expressions according to 162 White participants. We then asked an independent group of White participants (N = 60, 30 women