Adult-like competence in perceptual encoding of facial configuration by the right hemisphere emerges after 10 years of age

In the present study, we examined ascription of bizarreness to faces in a ratings task by children aged 8-10 and 11, 13 years, and by adults. Configural information was manipulated subtly (a single eye was inverted) or in a more salient manner (eye and mouth were inverted). By utilizing brief presentations we restricted initial processing of the manipulations to one hemisphere. Right-hemisphere sensitivity to the manipulations was seen in higher ratings for (viewer-centered) left-sided manipulations than for right-sided manipulations. The youngest group showed significantly less right-hemisphere sensitivity to the manipulations in upright faces than the adults, but children aged 11-13 years were similar to adults. The three age groups were equivalently able to detect the stronger eye and mouth manipulation. In all, children's performance approached that of adults gradually in this task, which emphasises immediate perceptual encoding of faces and for which memorial demands are minimal.