Science Weekly Never forget a face? You could be a super recogniser
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Nov 11, 2025 Dr. David Robertson, a senior lecturer in psychology at the University of Strathclyde, dives into the fascinating world of super recognisers—individuals with exceptional facial memory. He shares intriguing findings about their remarkable ability to recall faces, even from years apart, and explains the genetic factors behind this talent. Robertson discusses how their skills could benefit policing and identity verification and reveals the unique ways they process faces differently that can't easily be taught. Plus, the implications for AI identification and the potential challenges posed by deepfakes.
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Discovery Of Super Recognisers
- Four people replied to a face-blindness study claiming the opposite ability and were tested in the lab.
- Their exceptional face memory was confirmed and researchers named them "super recognisers."
Face Recognition Is A Continuum
- Face recognition ability sits on a continuum from prosopagnosia to super recognisers, like singing skill.
- Super recognisers occupy the extreme high end and consistently outperform typical people on face tasks.
Everyday Encounters And Social Strain
- Super recognisers report spotting people decades later from a single glance, like recognising an extra across shows.
- They sometimes mask the ability because approaching strangers repeatedly can feel creepy to others.