Which explanation has been offered to explain activation of the FFA other than face processing?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Let's examine each option in turn to understand what it would imply about explanations for FFA activation beyond pure face processing.
Option a: 'Activation in the FFA might reflect expertise.' This suggests that FFA activation could be tied to perceptual expertise with non-face categories (e.g., cars, birds) after extensive experience. It challenges a strictly face-only interpretation and aligns with studies showing expertise can modulate ventral visual cortex activity depending on familiarity and discrimination demands.
Option b: 'Activation in the FFA might reflect resolution needs / eccentricity.' This proposes a perceptual difficulty or display-related factor—such as how finely something is resolved or where in the visual field the stimulus falls—driving FFA responsiveness independent of face-specific coding. It highlights the role of low-level or display-related variables that can influence category-selective regions.
Option c: 'Activation in the FFA might reflect the combination of expertise, eccentricity and face coding.' This posits that multiple interacting factors—expertise, eccentricity-related processing demands, and face-sensitive coding—can jointly shape FFA activation. It embraces a nuanced view that the FFA is sensitive to several contributing influences rather than a single mechanism.
Option d: 'All of the options.' If the literature or teaching prompt acknowledges that expertise, resolution/eccentricity, and their combination with face coding could all contribute to FFA activation, then this option would be the most comprehensive claim, encompassing the possibilities described in a, b, and c. It allows for a pluralistic view rather than a single-exclusive explanation, which is common in discussions about higher-level visual areas where multiple factors can modulate activity.
A common source of misconception is treating FFA activation as arising from face coding alone and ignoring the potential influence of experience or perceptual sampling conditions. Another pitfall is assuming these factors are mutually exclusive; in practice they can co-occur and interact. Considering the statements in a, b, and c together helps us appreciate a more integrative account of FFA activation patterns.
In sum, the reasoning across options aligns with a perspective where multiple contributing factors—expertise, resolution/eccentricity, and their combination with face coding—can shape FFA responses, and option d explicitly asserts that all these explanations are valid possibilities to consider.

PSYC20006_2025_SM1 Exam: Biological Psychology (PSYC20006_2025_SM1)- Requires Respondus LockDown Browser

Which explanation has been offered to explain activation of the FFA other than face processing?

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

Similar Questions

In their attempt to better understand the Fusiform Face Area (FFA), Gauthier and colleagues (1999) have found that:

Gauthier et al. (1999), Malach et al. (2002), and Kanwisher et al. (1997) have provided different coding schemes to explain the BOLD signal found in the Fusiform Face Area (FFA). Select the option that displays the correct array of studies with their main findings and interpretations.

The fMRI response in the fusiform face area is;

In a consumer society, many adults channel creativity into buying things

Economic stress and unpredictable times have resulted in a booming industry for self-help products

People born without creativity never can develop it

A product has a selling price of $20, a contribution margin ratio of 40% and fixed cost of $120,000. To make a profit of $30,000. The number of units that must be sold is: Type the number without $ and a comma. Eg: 20000

Which of the following statement regarding cost is correct:

More Practical Tools for Students Powered by AI Study Helper

Homework AI Solver

Stylized AI Paper Writer

Plagiarism Checker Assistant

Citation AI Academic Writing Tool

In-Class Translation Assistant

AI Note Generator

AI Quiz Answers

Past Exam Questions from University Test Bank

Smart Practice Assistant

Adaptive Practice

Making Your Study Simpler