Caricature recognition in a neural network

In a caricature drawing, the artist graphically exaggerates those features of an individual in proportion to their deviations from the normative or average face. The paradox of caricature recognition is that subjects recognize these distorted drawings of faces better than or equally as well as veridical drawings. The present research explores the caricature paradox by modelling caricature recognition in a neural network. Simulations were used to investigate the perceptual versus memorial bases of caricature recognition (Simulation 1) and examine the effects that familiarity (Simulation 2) and typicality (Simulation 3) have on caricature recognition. Simulation results are interpreted as support for a distinctive access hypothesis of the caricature recognition paradox that emphasizes the interaction between the stimulus properties of the caricature drawing and the underlying veridical face representation.