Externalizing Visual Images: Examining the Accuracy of Facial Descriptions vs. Composites as a Function of the Own-Race Bias

Two studies investigated whether the recall accuracy of facial details would differ depending on recall method, and also explored the own-race/ethnic bias in face recall. In Experiment 1, Hispanic participants ( N = 120) viewed either a Hispanic or a White face and then were asked to recall the face by either giving a physical description or constructing a facial composite. Independent judges then determined the accuracy of the recalled information in both a rating task and a matching task. Results revealed reliably higher accuracy scores for the descriptions over the facial composites but showed no evidence for an own-race bias. A second experiment ( N = 120) was conducted to attempt to replicate the description-advantage effect and to further explore the own-race bias in a stronger test using Black faces as the cross-ethnic group. This experiment again showed a description advantage and provided some evidence for an own-race bias in recall similar to that found in the facial recognition literature. Directions for future research based on the current findings are discussed.